Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
A team of scientists from Colorado State University and the University of São Paulo have developed a seismological solution to improve the resolution of ultrasound images for lung monitoring. This breakthrough could lead to improved critical care for patients, including continuous lung monitoring at the bedside. The technique uses seis...
Researchers will analyze course of illness, confirm ingested substances, and provide real-time data for better care. The study aims to predict effects of emerging opioids and deliver timely alerts to doctors and public health agencies.
The study found that the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline has been contacted over 16 million times since its launch in July 2022. Despite this high number, regional and state-level variations in usage suggest potential for further growth and improvement.
The health care workforce experienced decreased employment growth during the pandemic but fully recovered by 2024. This unique recovery is attributed to health care financing via insurance coverage that shielded health care employment from macroeconomic fluctuations.
A study found that between 11.6% and 20.2% of women with a history of pregnancy or testing for pregnancy visited crisis pregnancy centers across four US states, including Arizona and New Jersey. The attendance rates were not correlated with age, race, or socioeconomic status.
A study analyzing health and long-term care insurance data from Tsukuba City found that 73.5% of older patients were weaned off ventilators within 180 days, while 42.6% were discharged from the hospital. Patients with higher care levels had longer hospital stays.
A nationwide study reveals that Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander patients face significantly higher costs for emergency surgeries compared to white patients. Converting just 10% of emergency procedures to planned surgeries could save $1.8 billion annually.
A new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health suggests that parental intuition may outperform traditional early warning systems in identifying children at risk of deterioration. Caregiver concern for a worsening condition was strongly associated with critical illness, even after accounting for abnormal vital signs.
A new algorithm standardizes care for children with sickle cell disease who present to the ED with a fever, reducing hospitalizations by 10% without increasing readmissions. The algorithm uses predefined risk factors to determine treatment, making it safer and more efficient.
Approximately one in three pediatric mental health ED visits resulted in prolonged stays exceeding 12 hours, with over half due to suicidal thoughts or aggressive behaviors. The study highlights significant issues with access to mental health care for children and adolescents.
A new smartphone app, ECHAS, can help people determine if they are suffering from a heart attack or stroke and need medical attention. The app, developed by experts at UVA Health and other leading institutions, proved effective in identifying patients with cardiac and neurological emergencies.
Researchers at Intermountain Health found that using ePneumonia, a computerized clinical decision support tool, reduced mortality rates among patients with pneumonia, particularly those experiencing socioeconomic hardship. The study also showed that this technology helped overcome unconscious biases in treatment decisions.
A large study found an unexpectedly high frequency of pulmonary embolism in pediatric patients, equal to rates seen in adults. The study provides new criteria for clinicians to diagnose PE in children and raises questions about the need for earlier intervention.
Women primary care physicians demonstrate superior quality outcomes and higher value-based earnings compared to their male counterparts. This reversal may be attributed to fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations among women's patients, reflecting better alignment with female-dominated practice patterns.
A study found that veterans enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans use dental and vision services at a similar rate as those in traditional Medicare. MA plans spent only slightly more on these services, including emergency dental care. After accounting for private insurance coverage, the total spending on dental services was compara...
Dr. Tarek Hanna joins UMSOM from Emory University School of Medicine with expertise in emergency and trauma imaging, clinical operations optimization, and faculty development. He will advance clinical excellence and expand radiology services across central Maryland.
The University of Texas at Arlington offers pre-health students valuable hands-on experience through an innovative collaboration. Students in SCIE 4304 participate in immersive clinical simulation lab at the UTA Smart Hospital, developing rudimentary clinical skills and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital found that teen drivers in vehicles 6-15 years old and those with fewer driver assistance technologies had a higher risk of death in fatal crashes. The study also showed that driving newer vehicles can reduce the risk of fatal crashes for teen drivers.
Researchers found daily increases of 11-24% in asthma-related emergency department visits over the first episode of a wildfire event, continuing up to 6 days after it ended. However, a second period of heavy smoke did not result in an increase in asthma-related ED visits.
Researchers discovered a promising new approach to treating hemorrhagic shock, which tripled survival rates and maintained healthy organ function. Activating Protein Kinase C epsilon (PKC-ε) significantly improved early survival rates and physiological stability following severe hemorrhage.
The American College of Chest Physicians has released a new clinical guideline on the transfusion of fresh frozen plasma and platelets in critically ill adults. The guideline contains seven evidence-based recommendations to reduce unnecessary transfusions, which are rarely needed prior to bedside procedures.
The study tracks maternal, fetal, and infant mortality trends in the US from 2000 to 2023. Despite improvements in some years, overall rates of maternal and infant mortality increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new clinical study found that a universal community resource program reduced acute care for children of food-insecure families, saving thousands of dollars in healthcare expenditures. The program, called CommunityRx-Hunger, required only 50 staff hours and delivered benefits to both food-secure and food-insecure caregivers.
The USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness is leading a four-year project to identify and overcome obstacles in adopting the latest trauma triage guidelines. The goal is to produce guidelines that are equally useful and relevant for anyone, whether they are in urban or rural areas.
A cross-sectional analysis found firearm injury-related ED visits occurring approximately every 30 minutes between 2018 and 2023. Rates were highest during evenings, weekends, holidays, and summer months. Temporal patterns may inform health care staffing and emergency preparedness to reduce mortality rates.
A new study published in Transfusion journal reveals sex-based disparities in the transfusion of whole blood to traumatically injured patients. Women, particularly younger females and those of childbearing potential, are less likely to receive whole blood transfusions compared to men. This disparity is despite whole blood being associa...
The American Heart Association will strengthen and expand Hawaii's stroke system of care, reducing death and disability rates from stroke in rural populations. The initiative aims to enhance coordination among emergency responders, hospitals, and healthcare providers.
The WNFC's player ambassadors will amplify public service announcements, social media content, and local community education events to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and CPR education in women. The league has also implemented a requirement for all coaches to be certified in CPR, AED, and first aid.
A new NIH study found that children born in lower-opportunity neighborhoods are more likely to experience repeated asthma flares requiring emergency care. Non-Hispanic Black children have the highest incidence rates of severe childhood asthma, also known as asthma with recurrent exacerbations (ARE).
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that AI diagnostic and treatment recommendations were more accurate than those made by physicians in a virtual urgent care setting. In 77% of cases, AI recommendations were rated as optimal, compared to 67% for physicians' decisions.
The RAND report highlights issues such as long wait times, boarding patients in emergency department beds, and high uncompensated care, posing risks of closures and staffing shortages. The study recommends a new tiered payment model to address these shortcomings and sustain hospital emergency departments.
A Cedars-Sinai study finds AI treatment recommendations were graded higher than physician decisions in virtual urgent care settings. AI excelled at identifying critical red flags and suggesting antibiotic treatments, but physicians better assessed patient histories and adapted recommendations.
A cross-sectional study found wildfire smoke exposure associated with increased odds of mental health-related emergency department visits. The study suggests a possible increase in demand for mental health services during wildfire events.
A qualitative study reveals that migration has a complex influence on border-region emergency medical services, leading to more injuries and deaths. Increased federal funding is needed to support the work of local EMS clinicians, who are struggling with unsustainable strain.
A recent study from Michigan Medicine found that 85% of postpartum-initiated lactation in ICUs aligns with national averages. Limited documentation and delays during mechanical ventilation are identified as barriers to lactation. The research team is developing an algorithm and guideline to support patients' lactation goals.
A new study investigates the safety of excluding pulmonary embolism in high-risk patients based on D-dimer testing. The analysis found that ruling out PE based on a low D-dimer level was safe, with no missed cases.
Nurses in states with abortion bans face communication gaps and moral distress when providing care to pregnant patients. They resort to 'work-arounds' like reading the room for allies or using online resources to find legal reproductive health care, highlighting the need for better guidance and support.
The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Mobile Simulation Lab to tackle workforce and training challenges in rural areas. The lab, equipped with advanced patient manikins and simulation bays, will provide specialized training for local healthcare providers to expand their expertise.
Despite a rise in long distance running participation, cardiac arrests during US marathons and half-marathons have shown no significant increase, indicating improved emergency response measures are at play.
Researchers at Lancaster University discovered a new type of vaccine-specific scepticism, where some people perceive COVID-19 vaccines as 'not a vaccine' compared to MMR. This phenomenon may also apply to the flu vaccine, highlighting the need for clear public health messaging.
A special issue of Academic Emergency Medicine examines the science of errors in emergency care, highlighting the need for a systemic approach to address gaps in knowledge, communication, and awareness. The journal's findings propose actionable solutions to minimize diagnostic errors and enhance patient safety.
A new study found that over 40% of children who underwent complicated appendicectomy recovered faster and had fewer complications when cared for in the home following surgery. This model of care reduced hospital time by 35% and saved families and hospitals over $1,400 per day.
A large-scale study found that patient pain upon arrival and placement in hallway beds are associated with poorer patient experience in EDs. On the other hand, receiving radiology studies generates more positive experience scores. Understanding these underlying factors can help improve patient outcomes and experiences.
A new study found that doctors and patients agree on the urgency level of emergency department visits only about 38% to 57% of the time. Researchers explored concordance between discharge diagnoses and reasons for visit, finding that nearly 40% of visits are not medical emergencies.
A recent Canadian Medical Association Journal study found no differences in in-hospital deaths or hospital admission rates between people experiencing homelessness and housed patients with severe COVID-19. However, those experiencing homelessness were less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit or intubated.
A lack of access to dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in hospital visits for children's painful dental issues. Research found a 62% increase in emergency department visits from Medicaid-insured kids, with young children being seen twice as often.
A study found that socioeconomically disadvantaged patients used emergency departments less for non-avoidable visits, despite an overall rebound in ED use by 2022. This trend reverses pre-pandemic increases in ED utilization among Medicaid and dual-eligible patients.
Researchers found that women who received text message reminders were twice as likely to get their cervical cancer screenings within 150 days compared to those without reminders. The study suggests a promising low-cost approach to increasing cancer screenings in underserved populations.
Researchers found that limiting daytime sleep and getting approximately seven hours of sleep each night in the first week after a concussion may speed up recovery. Youth who sleep more or less than ideal amounts during this period may experience slower symptom resolution.
A new consensus report on anaphylaxis has been released, providing updated clinical criteria and guidelines for diagnosing and treating the condition. The report includes distinct infant findings to improve management in young children, addressing a significant burden on patients and caregivers worldwide.
The ESC Acute CardioVascular Care congress will cover acute and critical care management of patients with cardiovascular disease. The meeting features around 300 abstracts and 95 sessions across two days, focusing on cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock.
A new study found that people seeking emergency care for hallucinogen use were at a 2.6-fold higher risk of death within 5 years compared to the general population. The increased risk was highest among individuals with medical comorbidities and those from low-income neighborhoods.
In a new study published in The Lancet, researchers found that one in eight patients in African hospitals are critically ill, with one in five dying within a week. Basic but crucial health interventions can significantly reduce mortality and are inexpensive enough to be provided in general wards.
A new home-based intervention has been shown to reduce unplanned hospital admissions among older adults with mild frailty by 35%. The service, which includes personalized visits and tailored support, also leads to small improvements in wellbeing and reduces hospital costs.
A study found that emergency clinician prescribing of buprenorphine increased in California, leading to more patients starting treatment for opioid use disorder. The efforts were successful in getting patients started, with at least one in three filling a second prescription within 40 days.
A study found that patients who received opioid prescriptions in the emergency department were more likely to receive additional opioid prescriptions or require hospital admissions in the following year. Patient characteristics, such as age and health conditions, played a significant role in determining risk.
Residents of Ontario with cannabis use disorder had a significantly higher risk of death compared to the general population. The findings highlight the importance of addressing cannabis use disorders, especially as global trends toward cannabis legalization continue.
A study of US poison center calls reveals a significant rise in caffeine energy product exposures among children and adolescents, with powdered caffeine exposures skyrocketing by 633%. Most exposures were unintentional and occurred in children under 6 years old.
Researchers from Flinders University assessed the RAPIDx AI tool using a pioneering artificial intelligence platform, PROLIFERATE_AI. The study found that experienced clinicians demonstrated high comprehension and engagement with the tool, while less experienced users faced usability challenges.
Eleven scientists will be recognized for their individual exceptional professional achievements and contributions to stroke care and research. Four groundbreaking scientists are devoted to stroke research, while six others will be recognized for their new research findings presented during the meeting.