Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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...
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
A review article by BUSM professor Judith A. Linden outlines comprehensive protocols for evaluating and treating adult victims of sexual assault in emergency departments and primary care settings. The article highlights the importance of evidence collection, emotional support, and medical follow-up appointments to provide optimal care.
A new Johns Hopkins study reveals that uninsured trauma patients are 60% more likely to seek follow-up care in the emergency department (ED) for minor medical needs. This is despite having access to free follow-up appointments. Patients living in poor neighborhoods and those with Medicaid or Medicare are also more likely to use the ED.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests that temporary emergency department staff are more likely to be involved in medication errors that harm patients. The research found that temporary workers' unfamiliarity with hospital systems, protocols, and procedures increases the risk of serious medical errors.
According to a study, nearly all heart attack patients requiring emergency angioplasty are now treated within the recommended time frame, with a significant improvement from less than half the patients five years prior. The median door-to-balloon time has declined from 96 to 64 minutes during this period.
A study found a clear association between after-hours care clinic accessibility and reduced emergency department use. The clinic saw a 40% decrease in semi-urgent patients visiting the ER, suggesting better resource allocation.
The study found that CT scan use grew 11 times faster than the rate of ED visits during the study period, increasing from 3.2% to 13.9% between 1996 and 2007.
Patient demand for care from safety-net providers in Massachusetts has increased despite expanded insurance coverage following state's passage of health care reform. Newly insured patients continued to seek care at these sites due to convenient locations and affordable services.
A shortage of primary care physicians and limited access to these services are contributing to rising numbers of emergency department visits in the US. The study found that nearly 98% of Americans have health insurance coverage, yet barriers such as wait times and transportation issues remain a major challenge.
A new University of Cincinnati study found that missed opportunities for HIV diagnosis occur in 157 visits to an academic emergency department, 24 visits in an urban community hospital and six visits to a suburban community hospital.
A Harvard study reveals that access to outpatient psychiatric care in Massachusetts is severely limited, even for those with private insurance. The researchers found that only a small percentage of facilities listed by the largest insurer offered appointments within two weeks of a simulated patient's call.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that 30-40% of women in Sudan, Uganda, and Congo do not want more children, yet only 4-16% use modern contraception. This gap highlights the need for increased family planning services in conflict-affected regions.
A new set of guidelines addresses how to manage emergency situations with minimal equipment in an African context. The guidelines can be used by individuals and organizations involved in first aid training programs in Africa.
A study found that expanding Medicaid coverage to low-income adults increases healthcare use and improves self-reported health and well-being. The study used a randomized controlled trial and compared outcomes between those randomly selected into the program and those not selected, avoiding common limitations of previous studies.
A study of over 4,500 hospitals found that critical access hospitals (CAHs) in rural areas had fewer clinical capabilities and worse patient outcomes compared to non-CAHs. CAHs were less likely to have intensive care units, cardiac catheterization capabilities, and basic electronic health records.
A citywide study found racial disparities in the use of clot-busting drugs for acute ischemic stroke treatment due to delays in seeking care and medical conditions. Despite no racial bias detected in doctors' treatment decisions, education is needed to address these disparities and improve outcomes.
Researchers found that a coordinated care system significantly reduced door-in-door-out times for STEMI patients, with median transfer times decreasing from 97 minutes to 58 minutes after implementation. The system improved outcomes and was supported by the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline initiative.
A randomized study found outpatient care for low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism to be as safe and effective as inpatient care. The study showed reduced rates of recurrent venous thromboembolism, major bleeding, and death in outpatient patients.
A large national multi-center study found that most children with minor blunt head trauma and normal CT scans do not require hospitalization for further observation. Children who were hospitalized after normal CT scans did not have subsequent abnormal CT scans or MRIs, and none required neurosurgical intervention.
A Penn study reveals that specialty physicians turn away two-thirds of children with public insurance, exacerbating existing healthcare disparities. Children with identical conditions and private insurance face significantly shorter wait times for appointments.
A study found that ambulance diversion, a practice to reduce overcrowding, may increase mortality for patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients exposed to 12 or more hours of diversion had higher mortality rates at 30-day, 90-day, 9-month, and 1-year follow-ups.