Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
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.
Preliminary results of Taser exposure on healthy subjects revealed no clinically significant changes in cardiovascular and blood parameters after a single 5-second exposure. The study measured systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, calcium, sodium, potassium levels and blood pH in 32 subjects.
The US health care system ranks last compared to five other nations on quality, access, efficiency, equity, and outcomes. Despite spending more on healthcare than other countries, the US also invests less in health information technology.
A study of 314 low-income Indiana residents with heart failure found that pharmacist-led patient-centered care resulted in patients taking their medications 16% more consistently. This approach also reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations by 19%, saving the healthcare system $14 in costs for every dollar spent.
A study found that poor urban asthmatic children are more likely to seek emergency care for asthma than their affluent peers. The main reasons include parents' feelings of panic and anxiety about their child's symptoms, previous outpatient visits, and a belief that emergency care provides faster treatment.
The US critical care delivery system is in critical condition due to a growing mismatch between demand and supply. A new report proposes regionalizing the system to centralize expertise, equipment, and facilities, making services readily available to those most in need.
Uninsured individuals are more likely to receive less medical care, including recommended follow-up care, after a sudden health change. They also experience larger declines in short-term health and report worse health status months later.
Patients switching to high-deductible health plans experienced a 10% reduction in emergency department visits for less severe conditions. This decrease suggests patients are deferring non-emergency care, but more research is needed to understand long-term consequences.
A study found that undocumented immigrants with pregnant women account for 48,391 Emergency Medicaid cases, with 99% being Hispanic and 95% female. This trend indicates an increasing burden on publicly funded healthcare, necessitating improved services such as comprehensive contraceptive care and chronic disease management.
A case study reports a 36-year-old bodybuilder developing diabetes after using growth hormone and anabolic steroids for extended periods. Regular blood sugar checks are urged for individuals taking high doses of growth hormone to prevent similar cases.
Research on violent assaults found that feet were the most dangerous bodily weapon, causing more severe injuries than sharp objects. Kicking was particularly hazardous, leading to more severe injuries than using sharp objects.
A nationwide panel recommends ranking hospitalized patients by their risk level and assigning a score-based system to make decisions about discharging or transferring patients in emergency situations. This approach could safely empty 70% of hospital beds within 72 hours, improving resource allocation and patient care during disasters.
A new database reveals a wide range of patient visits per year, with higher volume facilities concentrated in metropolitan areas. The study suggests different approaches may be needed to ensure access to emergency care for all Americans, particularly in rural settings.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that many major biomedical journals have inadequate conflict of interest policies and practices. The study revealed that less than half of these journals require policies for editors or peer-reviewers and that many do not disclose potential conflicts to readers.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine found that hospitals using six specific strategies have faster door-to-balloon times, resulting in better patient outcomes. These strategies include activating the catheterization laboratory and having real-time data feedback for staff.
A new multicenter research consortium, called Protocolized Care for Early Septic Shock (ProCESS), is beginning a large-scale study to determine whether specific interventions can halt the progression to severe sepsis and septic shock. The project aims to establish standard procedures to diagnose and treat sepsis in emergency departments.
The University of Pittsburgh will lead a multidisciplinary consortium to investigate and determine the best methods for treating sepsis, a life-threatening disease affecting 750,000 Americans annually. The $8.4 million NIH grant aims to identify the ideal way to stop sepsis in its tracks and improve survival rates.
A study found that lobbing raw eggs at people as a prank can result in blunt ocular trauma, leading to injuries such as tears, bruising, and raised internal pressure. In some cases, this can cause permanent loss of eyesight.
A new study by UCLA researchers analyzed clots removed from the brain blood vessels of 25 stroke victims, revealing that they are composed of similar components. The analysis showed that red blood-cell accumulations often accumulated on clots after impaction in the brain artery, contradicting previous assumptions.
A new study predicts that the US will spend $2.2 trillion on stroke care over the next 45 years unless preventive measures are taken. The highest costs will be for African American and Latino patients, who suffer strokes at younger ages and receive poorer-quality care.
Despite recent atrocities, British hospitals remain poorly prepared for major incidents, with many lacking clear plans and regular rehearsal schedules. The survey found that only 54% of doctors were clear about their role in responding to a major incident, highlighting the need for improved preparation.
Blood alcohol levels above legal limits increased significantly among emergency care patients, with a 113% rise in lab tests from 1999 to 2004. The number of intoxicated women doubled, while men consistently outnumbered women across all age groups.
Language barriers compromise health care for 50 million U.S. residents who do not speak English at home, resulting in delayed care, preventable injuries, and higher healthcare costs. The article highlights the need for adequate language services to ensure optimal communication, patient satisfaction, and safety.
The study will enroll up to 20,000 patients in North America over two years, testing new saline solutions for trauma patients and a unique airway valve for cardiac arrest. The research aims to improve circulation and oxygenation in critically ill patients.
A study found that manual chest compressions were more effective than automated devices in treating out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The research, published in JAMA, also showed that the device associated with worse neurological outcomes in survivors.
The study found that falls among the elderly in North East England resulted in a significant cost to the ambulance service, with an average of £145 per fall. A third of calls required assistance only and were related to sheltered housing organisations, while one in four of those transported to emergency care were admitted to hospital.
A study involving 10,635 students found Greek pledges who get drunk weekly have five times the risk of falling from a height and two and a half times the risk of experiencing a burn compared to non-Greek students. They also face higher risks of other injuries, including sexual assault.
The LA Kids program significantly reduced pediatric epinephrine dosing errors in cardiac arrest cases, with correct doses increasing from 28% to 57% and doses within 20% of the exact dose rising from 44% to 70%. The study emphasizes the importance of system-wide changes and education.
Researchers developed a rapid diagnostic protocol for TIA patients, reducing hospital stays to 25 hours and costs by $662. The protocol did not harm patients, with comparable clinical outcomes to traditional inpatient admission.
Researchers highlight disparities in bystander CPR for Latino victims of cardiac arrest. Therapeutic hypothermia also shows promise in reducing mortality and neurological damage after cardiac arrest.
Emergency departments are struggling with high rates of pursuit-related fatalities, particularly among African Americans and Native Americans. The 2004 influenza vaccine shortage also exacerbated issues, especially for patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions and those without insurance coverage.
The study found that escalating biphasic energy regimens were more successful in terminating ventricular fibrillation (VF) and converting to an organized rhythm for secondary shocks. However, the difference was not seen in overall survival rates.
Researchers found that cooling a person by 2°C during the first day after resuscitation can significantly improve their chances of recovering from cardiac arrest. The study, which used rats to replicate human brain injury, showed that even modest cooling of the brain can have beneficial effects on recovery.
The conference aims to define the scientific parameters of surge capacity, a critical measure of disaster preparedness. Experts will explore the linkages between disaster surge and daily surge, developing a better understanding of this complex issue.
Disparities in health status persisted for one or more minority groups, with Asian Pacific Islanders facing inferior oral health and Native Americans experiencing hearing/vision problems. The study also found disparities in care, including lack of health insurance and communication issues with usual sources of care.
A new study suggests that regionalizing heart attack care, similar to trauma care, could be feasible for the US. Nearly 80% of Americans live within a 60-minute ambulance trip of an angioplasty-performing hospital, with most being able to reach one within 30 minutes.
Rochester researchers emphasize the need for more accurate and rapid diagnostic tests for concussions to improve treatment outcomes and prevent long-term neurological damage. Current CT scans are often biased, leading to underdiagnosis of significant axonal injuries.
A new study found that using a combination of sedative and paralytic drugs improves the success rate of airway intubation by 3.7 times, making it the most effective method for patients in critical condition. The research used data from 49 patients transported by air ambulance over a year.
A proposal has been developed by Drs. John L. Hick and Daniel T. O'Laughlin to set guidelines for triage of mechanical ventilators in a pandemic or bioterrorist attack. The guidelines aim to ensure equal allocation of scarce resources to patients most likely to benefit from them, promoting distributive justice.
A new set of guidelines aims to help care for children during emergencies, with a focus on simplifying treatment protocols and addressing special needs. The guidelines will be based on existing clinical protocols and are designed to be accessible to community health workers and volunteers.
Florida emergency physician groups provide substantial uncompensated care, ranging from 26 to 79 percent. The study suggests that the increasing number of uninsured patients is a significant contributor to this trend.
A year-long randomized trial involving 32 emergency departments in Connecticut and southwestern Pennsylvania showed that moderate- and high-intensity quality improvement strategies safely increased outpatient treatment for low-risk patients. The study also found effective implementation of guideline recommendations among practitioners.
A new study by the University at Buffalo, Yale University, and Oregon Health and Science University found that hospital-level care can be provided at home for less money and with fewer clinical complications. The program, called Hospital at Home, resulted in fewer important clinical complications, greater satisfaction, and lower total ...
A new study found that telephone-based care management significantly improves symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as mental health-related quality of life. The intervention resulted in fewer missed workdays and lower emergency room usage among participants.
A study found that lifetime illegal drug use accounts for nearly a third of patients visiting an inner city hospital emergency department. Recently used drugs significantly increase the risk of requiring emergency care, with possible 1 million ED attendances and 40,000 acute admissions annually in England.
A study analyzing emergency department visits by young people aged 7-24 years found that nearly half (56.1%) received a mental disorder diagnosis, with depressive disorders strongly associated with inpatient admission. The findings highlight substantial underrecognition of mental illness and inadequate referral for follow-up care.
The study reveals a significant increase in emergency care attendances, particularly among elderly patients and those arriving by emergency ambulance. Average waiting times doubled, and treatment times increased, despite staffing increases, suggesting pressure on emergency services.
A wire injury from jumping on a bed can be more than just a minor knock on the noggin, according to Dr. Dante Pappano. He published a case study in Pediatric Emergency Care journal after discovering that a mattress wire snapped inside a Rochester boy's foot, leading to a serious injury.
Researchers found that reported insurance status significantly influences access to follow-up appointments for urgent ambulatory care. Privately insured patients were more likely to receive appointments within a week compared to those with Medicaid or no insurance, suggesting a barrier to timely care.
A study found that 69% of meta-analyses in critical care had flaws, leading to concerns about the reliability of medical research. The most common issues were failure to report comprehensive literature searches and methods for avoiding bias.
A new UCLA study highlights the importance of using CT scans to evaluate cervical spine injuries, finding that x-rays fail to detect secondary injuries in 36% of cases. The researchers recommend that all patients with cervical spine injuries undergo CT imaging to identify missed injuries and non-contiguous injuries.
A new review of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines aims to streamline diagnosis and treatment of acute coronary events. The goal is to provide faster treatment that may even prevent a heart attack or damage to the heart before it happens, benefiting millions of patients each year.
A nationwide study found that immigrants spend half as much on healthcare as native-born Americans, with many receiving lower levels of care. Immigrant children receive significantly less care in doctors' offices and emergency rooms compared to U.S.-born children.
A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh highlights the challenges faced by paramedics in performing endotracheal intubation, a critical procedure that requires significant skill and experience. The research found that many paramedics perform intubations less than three times per year, with some not performing any at all.
A new study reveals that emergency physicians' fear of lawsuits fuels defensive medicine, resulting in unnecessary hospital admissions and increased healthcare costs. The research found that high-fear physicians are more likely to admit low-risk patients and order excessive tests.
The study provides guidance on managing severely injured patients in emergency situations, including the importance of close follow-up, a 'chain of command' team, and preparedness for staff recruitment. The authors also offer recommendations for treating common injuries caused by bomb blasts, such as brain, lung, and orthopaedic injuries.
A study published in Pediatrics recommends new guidelines for air bag safety in children. The research found that children under 14 are at high risk of serious injury from air bags when sitting in the front passenger seat, while older children benefit from air bag protection.
A study found that ICU staff reported only 61% of errors detected by external observers, indicating a significant underreporting of unintended events. The use of observer monitoring can provide invaluable information about incidents in ICUs in a short period, improving quality and safety.