Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
Researchers developed a new thoracic ultrasound examination called TFAST to diagnose pneumothorax and other thoracic injuries in dogs. The study found that TFAST proved highly accurate for detecting PTX and other related injuries, with accuracy comparable to human clinical research.
A study found significant confusion among pre-hospital healthcare providers regarding living wills and DNR orders, which can compromise lifesaving care. Implementing clearly defined code status designations within living wills can clarify this confusion and ensure patient safety.
A new University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study found that two-thirds of psychiatric patients referred for care following an emergency room visit are met with voicemail or long waits. Only 10% of calls resulted in an appointment scheduled within two weeks.
Costantino Iadecola, a neurology scientist at Cornell University, receives the Thomas Willis Award for his pathophysiology research on cerebral ischemic injury. He will deliver a lecture on recent advances in understanding cerebrovascular injury and developing targeted treatments.
A recent survey of over 27,000 EMS professionals found that nearly 83% believe they should participate in disease and injury prevention programs. Many respondents reported already providing such services during emergency calls, particularly those with experience, suggesting a potential expansion of prevention efforts.
A recent study found that fainting was the most common in-flight medical emergency, accounting for 53.5% of cases. The researchers also highlighted the need for standardization in reporting in-flight emergencies, citing poor data quality as a major issue.
A recent survey by Medical College of Wisconsin researchers found that residents in Metro Milwaukee may not be as well-prepared for disasters as the rest of the country. The survey revealed that only 37% of respondents had taken a first-aid course, and 15% had volunteered to help prepare for or respond to a major emergency.
A recent study published by the American Heart Association found that women are more likely to experience delays in emergency medical services (EMS) care for heart-related issues. The study analyzed data from nearly 6,000 men and women and revealed that women had a 52% higher chance of being delayed during EMS care.
A survey of US academic emergency physicians found nearly all believed police use excessive force during arrests and detentions. Doctors frequently treated patients with blunt trauma and handcuff injuries sustained by police officers.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study suggests that US emergency departments are unlikely to meet projected needs with current board-certified emergency physician workforce. The study found that even with idealized projections, it would take over a decade to staff all emergency departments with certified physicians.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal has released a comprehensive stroke supplement featuring 27 best practice recommendations, including four new topics such as emergency medical services care of stroke patients before hospital arrival. The supplement is part of the Canadian Stroke Strategy and aims to improve stroke care in Canada.
A Mayo Clinic study found that most stroke patients do not identify their symptoms correctly, leading to delayed medical attention. The delay can result in further damage and reduced recovery outcomes.
A new survey reveals that more than half of US chronically ill adults skip necessary care due to financial constraints. The study also finds high rates of medical errors, poorly coordinated care, and long waits for primary care physicians.
The Rhode Island Hospital simulation center examines the benefits of advanced medical simulation in five manuscripts, describing its use in training for dynamic, complex medical situations. The articles also discuss the role of simulation in assessing and improving small-scale clinical systems in emergency medicine.
A new study challenges common perceptions about the uninsured and emergency departments, finding that people with insurance are more likely to contribute to ED overcrowding. The research reveals that caring for patients, insured and uninsured, in an ED is more expensive than treating the same complaint in a doctor's office.
A new study suggests that a simple five- or three-part rule can identify which cardiac arrest victims need hospital transportation, allowing EMS crews to use scarce resources wisely. The three-part rule may be sufficient to identify 99.8 percent of those who need to be transported.
A study by RAND Corporation found that retail medical clinics primarily serve patients without a regular healthcare provider, with most visits for acute conditions like upper respiratory infections and sinusitis. The clinics' convenience may outweigh continuity provided by personal physicians, highlighting concerns about quality of care.
The European Society of Cardiology emphasizes the importance of networks in STEMI treatment, facilitating pre-hospital diagnosis, triage, and treatment with efficient transportation to appropriate hospitals. Clear protocols and cooperation among centers reduce delays and improve patient outcomes.
A survey of trauma professionals and the general public reveals differing opinions on end-of-life care following severe injuries. While both groups prefer palliative care, there are disparities in views on patients' rights to demand care and the role of divine intervention.
A Northwestern University study found that more than three-quarters of patients don't fully comprehend their emergency department discharge instructions. Patients who fail to follow instructions may have a higher risk of complications after leaving the hospital, according to lead author Kirsten Engel.
A U-M study found that three-quarters of ER patients leave with a misunderstanding of their diagnosis, treatment, and post-visit instructions. Patients often reported feeling confident despite lacking understanding, highlighting the need for improved communication between ER teams and patients.
Researchers found that patients who disclose intimate partner violence (IPV) to clinicians in primary care or obstetrics/gynecology settings experience the most benefit, with minimal serious harm. In contrast, emergency department disclosures are more problematic for patients, leading to fear and avoidance of healthcare.
A community-wide study found that nearly 28% of pediatric emergency department visits could have been replaced with telemedicine, freeing up resources and reducing costs. Telemedicine also offers personalized care and cost savings for insurers, who may realize $14 per child per year in savings.
A remote monitoring program can improve heart failure patients' condition and reduce hospital readmissions. Patients who participated in the program had lower average hospital readmission rates compared to those receiving usual care.
A UC Davis study found that critically ill children transferred from smaller hospitals are sicker and require more hospitalization days, mechanical ventilation, and medication. The study recommends better coordination with regional medical centers and greater use of telemedicine services.
New research from the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support project shows that advanced life support for trauma patients prior to hospital transport has no survival benefits and may even cause harm. The study found no difference in patient survival rates between those receiving basic and advanced life support.
A report by The Lancet reveals that only 16 of the 68 priority countries are on track to meet the MDG4 and MDG5 targets, with many more experiencing no progress or reversals. Investments in immunization have led to rapid increases in coverage for routine services.
Dr. Criley developed the paramedic model in 1969, training firefighters to provide emergency care to heart attack victims. The program was later adopted nationwide, thanks in part to a TV show about it, and continues to save lives today.
Scientists warn of an impending crisis due to superbugs like Acinetobacter that have become resistant to all available antibiotics, including those thought safe. The bacteria cause severe infections, pneumonia, skin, and wound infections, and even meningitis, leading to significant patient mortality.
Researchers found that calling a doctor's office instead of 9-1-1 can delay patients from reaching the emergency room during the critical three-hour window for acute stroke treatment. Calling an emergency number or ambulance is the quickest way to receive timely treatment and potentially avoid serious post-stroke disability.
A nationwide collaborative study found that emergency department patients who underwent alcohol screening and brief intervention reported lower rates of risky drinking than those who received only written information. The study enrolled over 7,751 patients and showed that more than one-fourth exceeded low-risk drinking limits.
A recent survey found that two out of 18 northwest England hospitals lacked a written chemical emergency plan and three A&E departments had no staff trained in chemical decontamination. The study highlights major gaps in preparedness for chemical incidents, calling for national guidelines to be set and enforced.
A randomized clinical trial found GRACE's success in improving quality of care, health-related quality of life measures, while reducing emergency department use and hospital admissions. The program involves a support team meeting with patients at home to conduct comprehensive assessments and develop individualized care plans.
A home-based geriatric care program for low-income seniors resulted in higher-quality medical care, improvement in quality of life, and fewer emergency department visits. However, the intervention did not prevent decline in physical functioning. The program improved health outcomes without increasing hospital admissions.
A recent survey by LA BioMed researchers found that only 6% of emergency rooms in the US have all the necessary equipment and medicine for treating children. The majority of pediatric visits occur in non-child-friendly hospitals or rural facilities, highlighting a need for improvement in pediatric preparedness.
Patients report feeling uncertain about out-of-hours primary care services, with concerns over appropriateness and responsiveness. Staffing issues and slow handling times are also cited as key problems, highlighting the need for better patient experience monitoring.
A population-based study found that having a primary physician and high continuity of care lowered emergency department use among elderly patients. Additionally, rural residence, low socioeconomic status, and higher physician-to-population ratio were associated with increased emergency department use.
A North Carolina team of doctors and nurses has created a model to provide faster treatment for heart attack patients. The RACE project uses caregivers from 65 hospitals and emergency medical teams throughout the state to diagnose and treat heart attacks more quickly, with median times improving by 22%.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that only 40% of heart attack patients received recommended aspirin therapy, and 69% of pneumonia patients got recommended antibiotics, highlighting racial, geographic, and financial disparities in access to care.
Research by Dr Brendan Kelly found that medical romance novels often feature primary care and emergency settings, with common plot pairings including male doctor with female doctor or nurse. The novels highlight the romantic possibilities of these settings and suggest an urgent need for training programs to include romance education.
The study found that maternal mortality decreased by 68% in the ICDDR,B region and 54% in the government region over a 30-year period. Additionally, educational differentials played a significant role in reducing maternal mortality, with women having more than eight years of schooling being less likely to die.
A nationwide independent Taser study found that the devices cause a low occurrence of serious injuries, with 99.7% of subjects experiencing mild injuries or none at all. The study, funded by the National Institute of Justice, included six law enforcement agencies and reviewed nearly 1,000 cases.
A study of black and white patients with asthma found that blacks were more likely to visit the emergency department or be hospitalized for the condition, even after adjusting for socioeconomic status. The researchers suggest that genetic differences may underlie these racial disparities in asthma outcomes.
Temple University's Department of Emergency Medicine is participating in a nationwide study to identify the best outpatient therapy for community-acquired MRSA, a growing concern with antibiotic-resistant properties. The research aims to determine effective treatments and gain FDA approval for generic antibiotics.
Two studies examine triage guidelines for emergency heart patients and find that those who followed the guidelines had similar outcomes to those who did not. However, low-risk patients who were discharged after receiving standard treatment had a small risk of developing acute coronary syndrome in the long term.
A two-year study will assess optimal methods for reducing heat stress in firefighters, evaluating the efficacy of different rehabilitation methods. The study aims to improve firefighter health and safety by understanding the mechanisms of heat stress and its effects on the heart.
Patients with respiratory problems face a higher risk of death during longer ambulance journeys, which can range from 0 to 58 kilometres. The study found that the further the patient has to travel, the more likely they are to die, with a 13% increase in mortality for those with breathing problems over 20km distances.
A study of UK trainee doctors found they were gaining less experience in performing common practical procedures, such as suturing and wound exploration. The decline in hands-on experience may be attributed to formal teaching and assessments, or senior staff taking over procedures to meet waiting time targets.
Research conducted by UC Sociology Professor David Maume found that women are more likely to leave their jobs to attend to their children, while men prioritize work. The study suggests that traditional gender roles persist despite changing attitudes on family responsibilities.
A 30-minute video-based training session is as effective as a three- to four-hour course in teaching laypersons basic life-saving techniques. At six months after training, those who took the shorter course performed CPR and used an AED just as well or better than those who took the traditional training.
Research in Emergency Medicine Journal reveals UK licensing law changes trebled overnight visits to emergency care for alcohol-related problems. The new laws allowed alcohol to be available around the clock, leading to a rise in alcohol-related issues and violent assaults.
University of Cincinnati researchers have created a unique online system to reduce medical errors and improve patient care in local hospital emergency departments. The initiative, called the Committee for Procedural Quality and Evidence-Based Practice (CPQE), covers numerous conditions from triage and diagnosis to treatment and discharge.
Severe human bite wounds are 12 times more common in men, with most injuries occurring during brawls on weekends or public holidays. Eighty-six percent of cases involved alcohol, and 65% of facial injuries were to the ear.
A recent study conducted by University of California - San Diego researchers found that using a Taser on healthy individuals does not cause lasting harm. The study monitored the physiological effects of a single Taser activation in human subjects and discovered no clinically significant or lasting changes.
A new treatment protocol for sepsis, known as Early Goal Directed Therapy (EGDT), has been shown to reduce hospital mortality rates by 33%. By implementing EGDT as a routine protocol in emergency departments, patients can experience improved outcomes and reduced costs.
Researchers analyzed ED usage using the 'Emergency Department Algorithm' (EDA) tool, finding that only 6.8% of Medicaid dollars were spent on ED-provided care, contrary to estimates. The study suggests that legislative efforts to reduce ED spending for Medicaid patients would have a minimal impact on overall expenditures.
A double-blind randomized clinical trial found albuterol to have a clear advantage over epinephrine in successful discharges from the Emergency Department. The study involved over 700 infants and showed a surprising result of a small but real advantage in using albuterol.
A new study validates the Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria, showing that two-thirds of patients with a low probability of pulmonary embolism receive unnecessary tests. The protocol uses clinical criteria to rule out clots in the lung, reducing costs and side effects associated with CT scans.
Researchers surveyed healthcare workers about their willingness to report to work during disasters. Workers were more likely to come to work when they felt their role was important, safe traveling to work, and supported by family. However, fear and uncertainty can lead to a decrease in staff availability, complicating disaster response.
Healthcare workers' perceptions of their role in disaster response and safety concerns significantly impact their willingness to report to work. Hospital crisis planners must address these factors to ensure adequate staffing during disasters.