Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
The Rutgers Center for State Health Policy will lead a project to replicate innovative care management programs in four US cities, including Camden, NJ, and other safety-net health provider organizations. The project aims to deliver better care at lower cost to high-need patients from low-income communities.
A study found that First Nations children and those from families receiving government subsidies had significantly more visits to emergency departments for mental health crises. These visits were often due to anxiety- or stress-related disorders, emotional or behavioural issues from substance abuse, or unspecific diagnoses.
A study by Children's National Hospital found that nearly all minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged families in urban areas had access to the internet. More than half expressed interest in receiving electronic health information from emergency departments, with email being the preferred method of delivery.
A study found that half of adults over 65 made at least one ED visit in the last month of life. In contrast, those with hospice care lived longer outside the hospital. Hospice care provides symptom relief and support for patients nearing end-of-life, whereas ED visits can be expensive and contribute to high costs of care.
A new program, RACE-ER, has been implemented to improve heart attack treatment times and patient survival rates. The initiative, which involves all hospitals and emergency services in North Carolina, has reduced the time from diagnosis to treatment from 103 minutes to 91 minutes.
The May issue of Reproductive Health Matters explores the causes and impact of the gap between policy and practice in maternal health and maternal mortality in India and other countries. It highlights both the good and bad news characterizing this gap, including hopeful signs of progress.
A new index reveals that 71% of Australians live near specialist hospital care and four types of aftercare within an hour's drive. However, rural and remote communities face significant challenges in accessing cardiac care, with Indigenous people living at a lower rate than non-Indigenous Australians.
A new program will coordinate regional systems to reduce time from heart attack to treatment, building on the successful Mission: Lifeline program. The Regional Systems of Care Demonstration Project aims to develop coordinated, regional systems of care that start at the 911 call and include ambulance transport and hospital treatment.
A Penn study found that more than 75% of cardiac arrests occur outside the range of nearby automated external defibrillators (AEDs), highlighting the need for strategic placement and easy location. The study suggests innovative ways to help the public find AEDs in emergencies.
A new study found significant disparities in emergency department treatment based on children's insurance status. Children with private, public, and no insurance were less likely to undergo testing, receive medication, or undergo procedures, but more likely to be diagnosed with a significant illness.
The Regenstrief Institute's Aging Brain Care Program is launching a global initiative to provide collaborative dementia care. The program's tools and resources aim to reduce emergency room and hospital visits by up to 45%, improving the quality of care for those with dementia.
A Vanderbilt study found that only 7% of Tennessee hospitals have a hand specialist on call 24/7 to treat common injuries such as wrist and finger trauma. Patients from surrounding states travel long distances for treatment and follow-up care.
A scheme supporting midwives in rural Nigeria has improved maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes by redistributing healthcare workers. The Midwife Service Scheme helps address health inequities between urban and rural areas, offering a potential model for low-income countries.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found racial differences in the care of children in emergency departments. Black children are less likely to receive pain medication for severe abdominal pain compared to white patients. This disparity has significant implications for equal access to high-quality healthcare.
A study published at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting found that family presence did not hinder trauma teams' ability to treat injured children. The research evaluated the effect of family presence on the trauma teams' ability to identify and treat injuries during the initial phase of care.
Experts propose a new model of care collaboration for diagnosing, treating, and following patients with emergent cardiovascular conditions. Regionalized systems of care can improve clinical outcomes by providing rapid diagnosis, effective care coordination, and appropriate follow-up care.
A University of Leicester study found that continuity in general practice is associated with reduced hospital admissions. Practices with higher proportions of patients aged 65 and white ethnicity had higher rates of elective hospital admissions, while those with more male patients and patient satisfaction had fewer admissions.
Research based on 367 men and 370 women found that those who are retired, unmarried, or depressed are most at risk of needing urgent hospital care. Men were twice as likely as women to require further urgent hospital care within 30 days of discharge.
A review of the initial medical response after a Christchurch earthquake found that careful preparation and effective triage helped reduce death rates and the burden of injury. The response was critical due to the city's only hospital being damaged, but radiotelephones and mobile phones were used to keep staff updated.
A study found that newly insured and uninsured adults had greater emergency department use than continuously insured adults. Adults with recent changes in health insurance status, particularly those with new Medicaid coverage, were disproportionately likely to use EDs, suggesting reduced access to primary care services.
A national survey of UK ambulance services found significant variation in response to elderly falls patients, with some trusts utilizing dedicated clinical advisors and triage systems. Despite efforts to reduce delays, the provision of care remains inconsistent, highlighting the need for research to inform policy and practice development.
Paramedics can reduce medical contact to balloon time by calling ahead to activate helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), speeding up patient care. This study found that HEMS activation in the field or at a smaller hospital can save up to 48 minutes of treatment time
A new study led by Stanford researchers found that ibuprofen significantly reduced the incidence of altitude sickness in a double-blind trial. Ibuprofen reduced symptoms by 26% and was found to be more attractive than other medications, such as acetazolamide, due to its safety profile.
Research published in BMJ Quality & Safety found that some NHS trusts deliver a consistently better experience for patients, with a strong association between Foundation Trust status and improved performance. The study identified system-wide successes and failures, highlighting areas for improvement across the healthcare system.
A Rhode Island Hospital physician describes his experience caring for over 1,300 patients in a Libyan field hospital, highlighting the importance of strong logistical support and supply chain management. Community support was also vital to the project's success, with local staff and volunteers playing a key role.
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a CMS quality measure assessing CT scans in emergency departments is unreliable, affecting up to 83% of patients. The measure may lead to inaccurate comparisons of imaging performance among hospitals.
A new study from VCU researchers found that a managed care plan can reduce the cost of caring for the uninsured population who gain coverage through the Affordable Care Act. The study showed that emergency department visits and inpatient admissions declined, while primary care visits increased during the seven-year period.
Researchers created an emergency general surgery registry (EGSR) to analyze and improve surgical outcomes for patients. The registry includes ICD-9 codes to define and evaluate EGS cases, covering a range of pathologies including appendectomy, hernia repair, and cholecystectomy.
The study analyzed ED data from the 2008 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and found that patients treated at safety-net EDs were more likely to be young and minority than those treated at non-safety-net EDs. Despite concerns about performance measures penalizing underfunded safety-net institutions, the study suggests th...
A study found no significant difference in length of stay between safety-net and non-safety-net hospitals. To improve patient outcomes, quality improvement initiatives should focus on changes within and outside the department, along with supplying necessary resources.
A nationwide study reveals that most young people who present to emergency departments with deliberate self-harm are discharged without receiving a mental health assessment. The study found that only 39% of patients discharged to the community received a mental health assessment while in the emergency department.
Rhode Island Hospital's new simulation-based training program, Project CLEAR!, aims to standardize communication skills among emergency department staff and enhance patient satisfaction. The program has been successfully implemented with nearly 400 staff members, resulting in improved quality of care, safety, and service.
Elderly patients who visit emergency departments are three times more likely to develop respiratory or gastrointestinal infections after returning to a long-term care facility. Isolating residents for 7 days following an ED visit can help prevent outbreaks and reduce the financial burden on healthcare facilities.
A visit to the emergency department during nonsummer months was associated with a three-fold risk of acute respiratory or gastrointestinal infection in elderly residents of long-term care facilities. The study found that these residents had a higher rate of chronic illnesses and were more likely to be less independent.
New guidelines aim to reduce waiting times and improve patient outcomes for patients with hip fractures. The guidelines recommend fast-tracking admission, multidisciplinary care, and surgery within 48 hours of hospital admission.
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that commercial insurance was the most frequent payer of emergency department outpatient services in Florida, followed by self-pay and Medicaid. The data suggest a shift towards Medicaid as patients move into eligible categories, which may impact eye care delivery models in the state.
A statewide survey will help assess the pediatric emergency readiness of hospital emergency departments in California and beyond. The project aims to determine what resources hospitals are lacking to treat young patients and how they can acquire them.
The Oregon Health & Science University's Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) program has expanded to 34 states and improved end-of-life care outcomes. The program provides a comprehensive set of medical orders based on patient preferences, ensuring accurate treatment with a high degree of accuracy.
A study of 3.8 million rave attendees in the Netherlands found that nearly 28,000 people experienced substance-related problems, with 16 cases being life-threatening. Most problems were associated with ecstasy or alcohol, while GHB usage required medical attention but showed no acute life-threatening effects.
A study by the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that crowded emergency departments lead to delayed and less effective pain management for children with acute long bone fractures. Patients were 4-47% less likely to receive timely care and 3-17% less likely to receive effective care when crowding was high.
A new study found that nearly all emergency departments in Indiana shared patients, challenging conventional wisdom about health care systems. The research highlights the need for instant access to patient information across geographic areas and the nation.
A study found a 44% increase in hospitals offering definitive emergency care for heart attacks since 2001, but only a 1% increase in access to that care. Regional variation is significant, with highest access in the Northeast and lowest in the South.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that elective angioplasties performed without on-site cardiac surgery capabilities pose no increased risk for patient death or emergency bypass surgery. The study included thousands of patients and showed mortality rates were similar for centers with and without on-site surgery.
Researchers found that probiotic treatment increased interferon levels and reduced the number of infections in ICU patients. Probiotics also helped to shift the balance of the immune system, reducing Th2-associated factors and promoting a healthier response.
A team of Canadian researchers is working to address a knowledge gap in providing paediatric care for children in rural areas. The Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) project aims to improve diagnosis and treatment methods for common illnesses such as croup.
A comprehensive three-year study will investigate the reasons behind providing futile medical treatment to dying patients, exploring factors such as doctor concerns about legal liability and family influences. The research aims to identify the extent of this issue, its cost, and suggestions for addressing its causes.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals a 10-fold increase in retail clinic usage between 2007 and 2009, driven by factors such as age, health status, income, and proximity. Retail clinics are found to be more effective for managing simple acute conditions like upper respiratory infections and ear infections.
Alyssa Turner, a pediatric emergency department fellow, has been awarded the Willis Wingert Award for her platform presentation on the impact of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve blocks. Her research found that this technique improves pain control in children with femur fractures and reduces adverse effects.
A Pitt study found that EMS workers' perceptions of workplace safety culture are associated with negative patient and provider safety outcomes. The analysis of 412 surveys showed that individual EMS worker perceptions impact composite measures of patient and provider safety outcomes.
A recent study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that fatigue and poor sleep quality among emergency medical services (EMS) workers are associated with higher rates of injuries, medical errors, and safety-compromising behaviors. The study suggests that improving sleep quality and reducing fatigue may be key targets for inte...
Research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 57% of cardiac arrest patients' treatment with hypothermia involved documentation of poor prognosis, with 25% of patients having their care withdrawn within 72 hours after arrest. Despite this, over 20% of patients survived to discharge with good neurological ou...
The IPAL-EM initiative aims to integrate palliative care into emergency departments, reducing symptoms and anxiety while improving patient safety and satisfaction. By providing access to palliative care, the initiative seeks to improve quality of life for both patients and their families.
Earthquakes result in massive death tolls due to trauma, crush injuries, and disruptions to medical services. Many victims succumb to complications, sepsis, or organ failure, while others experience mental health problems like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A study published in BMC Emergency Medicine found that higher body mass index (BMI) and fitness levels improve CPR performance, while lower BMI and fitness lead to decreased compression depth and fatigue. The researchers recommend changing CPR providers every two minutes to prevent tiredness from impeding proper compression.
A study from Rhode Island Hospital found that emergency department staff perceptions of their roles significantly impact patient satisfaction. The researchers used a web survey to identify gaps in key indicators of patient satisfaction, with staff reporting changes or reconsidering their role responsibilities.
The study found a significant increase in pediatric psychiatric visits to emergency departments, with the underinsured group experiencing the largest growth. The data show that publicly insured patients are forced to seek care in EDs due to limited outpatient mental health resources.
A 22-year retrospective analysis of brain dead organ donors in the Netherlands found that discussing donation with relatives earlier may negatively impact consent rates. The introduction of the Donor Register in 1998 increased patient-consent rates seven-fold, from 5.7% to 41%.
A new study found that nearly one in four Americans must travel farther to a nearest trauma center due to hospital closures, especially affecting African Americans, poor and uninsured residents. The study highlights the need for policy makers to subsidize trauma centers serving vulnerable communities.
Research found that under 16s comprise just 0.6% of national NHS patient surveys since 2004, with most young adults being less satisfied with their care than older adults
Hasbro Children's Hospital is part of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), a federally funded network focused on preventing and managing acute illnesses in children. The hospital will collaborate with other pediatric emergency departments to advance research in head trauma, bronchiolitis, and other areas.