Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
Three models of comprehensive primary care, including GRACE, Guided Care, and PACE, have shown promise in improving effectiveness and efficiency for complex primary care. These models focus on proactive processes such as comprehensive assessment, evidence-based care planning, and coordination of professionals to tailor care to patients...
A geriatrician calls for improvements to primary care to meet the needs of older adults with multiple chronic conditions. Four processes and three models were identified as effective in providing comprehensive support, improving health outcomes, and patient satisfaction.
Research finds that patients receiving a combination of ketamine and propofol have a faster recovery time and less severe side effects compared to using ketamine alone. The study, conducted by Drs. Amit Shah et al., included 136 children treated in the Paediatric Emergency Department.
Research suggests that while some survivors of disasters experience severe psychological trauma, others may recover within a few months or years. Effective psychological first aid and community-centered interventions have been shown to be beneficial in supporting survivors' recovery.
A Stanford study finds that 90% of emergency departments nationwide provide preventive-care services, despite being under pressure to prioritize acute care. The most common service is domestic violence screening, while HIV screening is the least offered. Many EDs struggle to balance quality and cost constraints.
Researchers found persistent racial, gender, and insurance-coverage based differences in triage categorization and cardiac testing among emergency room patients. African American and Hispanic patients were less likely to receive immediate care or basic cardiac testing procedures, such as ECGs.
A recent Editorial in The Lancet highlights the need for strong leadership and education to redefine surgery's role and extend its benefits to wider populations. Key findings include inadequate operating theatres, anaesthetic cover, and emergency care provision, as well as surgeons' absence from healthcare debates and positions of power.
A study of 32,782 patients found that delays in performing appendectomies for acute appendicitis did not significantly affect 30-day outcomes. Patients who waited longer for surgery experienced slightly longer operations and hospital stays but these differences were clinically insignificant.
A recent study found that over a quarter of acute care visits in the US are made to emergency departments, instead of personal physicians. This shift is attributed to primary care doctors' packed schedules and low reimbursement rates, which limit their ability to provide timely access to care.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that up to 27.1% of hospital emergency department visits could be treated at retail medical clinics or urgent care centers, which could save $4.4 billion annually in healthcare costs. These conditions include minor infections, strains, fractures, and lacerations.
A survey of 61 EMS agencies found wide variation in perceptions of workplace safety culture, with air-medical agencies tending to score higher across all domains. The study provides benchmarking data for EMS agencies and a reliable tool to evaluate safety within their agencies.
A predictive model using factors like age, blood pressure, and heart rate accurately predicted the development of critical illness in patients who received out-of-hospital emergency care. The study found that hospitals varying widely in quality of critical care could improve outcomes for critically ill patients by concentrating care at...
A retrospective study of 17 surgical programs from 13 countries found that the operative death rate was 0.2 percent, suggesting safe surgery is possible in these settings. The study highlights the need for quality improvement programs and global minimum standards for surgical care in humanitarian contexts.
A study published in The Lancet found that specialist retrieval teams significantly reduce mortality rates among children transferred to pediatric intensive care units. Children admitted from other hospitals had better outcomes and lower mortality rates when transferred by specialist teams compared to non-specialist transfers.
A community-based maternal health delivery strategy known as the MOM Project increased access to maternal health care services for internally displaced women in eastern Burma. The study found a ten-fold increase in women assisted at delivery by emergency obstetric care workers, resulting in improved antenatal and postnatal care outcomes.
A study found that nearly half of suicides among mental health patients occurred within a year of visiting an emergency department, highlighting the need for better screening and assessment practices. Frequent attendees were more likely to have a history of self-harm and alcohol misuse, underscoring their high risk group status.
A study by the University of Michigan Health System found that female physicians are more supportive than male physicians when it comes to honoring patient requests for a doctor of the same gender or background. The study also showed that racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Muslim patients, are more likely to have their requests...
Physicians who provided Guided Care reported higher levels of satisfaction with patient/family communications and knowledge of their patients' clinical characteristics. The study found significant benefits to physicians in improving chronic care, including reduced costs and improved health outcomes.
A study of 193,804 trauma patients found that uninsured individuals were more likely to die from injuries than those with private insurance. Patients covered by Medicaid or other insurance plans had better mortality rates for all injuries compared to those without insurance.
A study by OHSU Emergency Department found that Oregon's law prohibiting the sale of pseudoephedrine products led to a significant decrease in methamphetamine-related emergency room visits. The number of such visits dropped by 35% over a one-year period, from an average of 18 per week to 11.3.
A study conducted at Henry Ford Hospital found that keyboard contamination was predominantly in non-treatment areas, suggesting alternative keyboard designs may improve safety in these areas
A study found that widespread use of the Canadian C-spine rule by triage nurses in emergency departments would alleviate discomfort among trauma patients and streamline patient flow. The rule helps clinicians make diagnostic or therapeutic decisions about cervical spine evaluation, reducing unnecessary immobilization time.
The medical home prototype improved quality of care, patient experiences, and clinician well-being, with significant cost savings through reduced emergency visits and hospitalizations. The study's findings support the model's ability to address healthcare concerns and provide recommendations for implementation.
A new study reveals racial disparities in emergency department documentation of sexual histories for adolescent girls, with black teens more likely to have their history documented than white teens despite higher STI incidence rates. This finding highlights the need for standardized care and attention to racial disparities in healthcare.
A study by Sue J. Goldie and colleagues finds that better family planning, safe abortion, and improved obstetrical care can reduce maternal mortality in India by 75% in under a decade. Integrated approaches can prevent more than 3 out of 4 maternal deaths.
A new study found that child care directors in metropolitan Milwaukee would unnecessarily exclude 57% of children with mild illnesses from care. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association have established guidelines to address this issue, but their implementation remains inconsistent.
A British study found that nearly two-thirds of patients were unaware they had a minor stroke and over one-third delayed seeking medical attention for more than 24 hours. The study suggests a lack of public awareness about recognizing the signs of a minor stroke, with people from all demographics showing similar lack of knowledge.
A study published in JAMA found that patients without health insurance are more likely to delay seeking emergency care for a heart attack. Those with financial concerns about accessing care also tend to delay treatment.
A study found that people with no health insurance are twice as likely to receive inadequate treatment for migraines compared to those with private insurance. Migraine patients on Medicaid are 1.5 times more likely to receive substandard care.
A new study published in JAMA found that four out of ten people treated for sickle cell disease are readmitted within 30 days, highlighting the need for improved care. The study also revealed higher rates of rehospitalization and emergency department visits among younger patients with Medicaid or public insurance.
The Regenstrief Institute is leveraging its Indiana Network for Patient Care to automate the disability case determinations process, reducing time and increasing completeness of medical data. This will facilitate faster decision-making and decrease the burden on healthcare providers.
A study found that nearly half of dying cancer patients visit the emergency department in the last two weeks of life, often due to uncontrolled symptoms. Effective palliative care can help manage these symptoms and reduce visits to the emergency department.
A study found that medical dramas and reality TV shows responded inappropriately to seizures nearly half the time, with improper practices occurring in 25 cases. The American Academy of Neurology urges the TV industry to adhere to seizure management guidelines.
Researchers found no increased mortality risk among trauma patients presenting on nights and weekends, unlike other critically ill patients. Trauma centers' 24/7 staffing ensures consistent care regardless of time of presentation.
Chronic illness patients supported by nurse-physician teams rate primary care as significantly higher than usual care recipients. Guided Care improves coordination with specialists, self-management support, and goal-setting assistance.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that low-income children who lack continuity with a regular health care provider are significantly more likely to have unmet health care needs. The study found that 79% of children without a usual source of care had an unmet need compared to 45% who reported having a usual source of care.
Between 1997 and 2006, median wait times increased by 36%, with emergent patients waiting 87% longer to be seen. The percentage of patients seen within the triage target time declined an average of 0.8% per year, particularly for emergent patients.
The American Thoracic Society has issued a statement outlining its positions on research, training, education, patient care, and advocacy. The ATS aims to prioritize altruistic concerns for patients, improve outcome measurement, and advocate for universal access to quality care.
A study found significant regional variations in geographic access to verified burn centers, with the northeast region having the highest and southern states having the lowest access rates. The researchers suggest optimizing air and ground emergency medical service systems for states with low baseline access rates.
Emergency medical services providers can now securely access patients' pre-existing health information, enabling informed treatment decisions and efficient care delivery. The Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC) link allows paramedics and EMTs to access patient records in real-time, improving care quality and safety.
Researchers in Japan developed a computer program that accurately predicts patients' risk of dying at the time of an emergency call. The algorithm achieved over 80% sensitivity and has potential to prioritize ambulances for critical cases.
A new study published in the Journal of American College of Surgeons found that establishing an acute care surgery service can provide more efficient emergency care. The service, staffed by critical care surgeons and surgical residents, reduced wait times for urgent procedures from 55.4% to 70% after implementation.
Sonith Peou, program director of the Metta Health Center in Lowell, Mass., is one of 10 Americans chosen to receive the RWJF Community Health Leaders Award for his work on culturally competent health care services. He has helped thousands of Cambodians, Laotians, and Vietnamese access quality healthcare.
A new study from Rhode Island Hospital found that alcohol-impaired drivers, regardless of injury severity, incur higher medical costs in emergency departments. The study revealed a median charge difference of $4,538 and a longer length of stay, totaling 3.3 hours compared to non-alcohol impaired patients.
Button battery ingestions are common among young children, with 62% of cases involving kids under 5. While most recover without issues, some experience long-term complications like tracheostomy dependence and vocal paralysis. Education is key to preventing these incidents.
Research found that 1 in 8 strokes is preceded by a 'warning stroke', also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild stroke. Those who experienced a warning stroke were more likely to be older and have underlying health conditions, but may have been protected from the full effects of the larger stroke.
A study of hospital relocation provides insights into aid disaster planning by restricting elective surgeries and limiting incoming transfers. This approach helped one major hospital reduce its census by 36% without interrupting emergency or trauma services, a strategy that can be applied during disasters to improve surge capacity.
A study found that minimal training can significantly improve first responders' speed and effectiveness when inserting laryngeal masks during life-saving CPR or mouth-to-mouth. Regular refresher courses are recommended to maintain skills, as proficiency declines after six months of non-use.
The lack of preparedness in pediatric emergency departments poses a significant risk, particularly during the onset of novel H1N1 flu. The guidelines recommend equipment, training, medications, and policies to ensure appropriate care for children.
A recent study published in BMC Emergency Medicine found that 60% of unintended incidents in the emergency department are caused by human failures. The majority of these events were attributed to departments outside the emergency department, such as laboratories.
A one-year evaluation demonstrates the benefits of the patient-centered medical home model, which provides personalized care, prevention, and coordination. The study found significantly fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations among patients with access to a medical home.
Researchers found that a Mediterranean-style diet was more effective in managing type 2 diabetes than a low-fat diet, with patients on the Mediterranean diet requiring less medication and experiencing greater weight loss. Additionally, retail clinics were shown to provide quality care at lower costs compared to urgent care centers and ...
A RAND Corporation study found that retail medical clinics offer high-quality care at a lower cost than traditional settings, with costs 30-40% lower for acute illnesses. The study also showed that retail clinics provide care similar in quality to physician offices, urgent care centers, and hospital emergency departments.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital successfully implemented an alcohol abuse screening and brief intervention model in a community hospital emergency department, achieving positive results. However, the program's sustainability was limited by the lack of additional staff trained to conduct screenings and interventions. The study high...
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that an interactive asthma education program reduced the need for emergency care and steroid use in children. The program, which included small-group interaction and personalized materials, improved asthma outcomes and caregiver burden.
A statewide program aims to enhance pediatric emergency medical care in Illinois by supporting facilities in managing critically ill and injured children. The program, led by Loyola University Health System, focuses on preparing emergency medicine facilities to provide quality care for this vulnerable patient population.
A new healthcare delivery model called GRACE improves health and quality of life for low-income seniors, decreasing emergency department visits and hospital admissions. The program's personalized care approach reduces high-cost hospitalizations and saves money.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that guided care patients spent 24% fewer hospital days and 37% fewer skilled nursing facility days compared to usual care. Guided Care programs could save Medicare over $15 billion every year, according to the study.
A study led by Abhinav Chandra found that emergency physicians' estimates of risk for chest pain patients correlate with actual outcomes. The researchers suggest trusting the physician's gut instinct and counseling against discharge when strongly advised, even without compelling data.
Research at National Jewish Health found asthma control poor among 155 students with asthma, regardless of medical insurance or identified provider. Patients and parents must recognize when management is not optimal to seek help and improve asthma control.