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Study finds pneumonia computerized clinical decision support reduces mortality disparities in patients facing economic hardships

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.

SourceIntermountain Healthcare·TypeObservational study·DateMay 21, 2025

Nationally recognized emergency radiologist Tarek Hanna, MD, named new chair of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine

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.

Community resources help food-insecure kids make fewer ER visits

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.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 28, 2025

One firearm injury was treated every 30 minutes in emergency departments in a study of 10 jurisdictions

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.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateApr 14, 2025

Studies find sex-based disparities in transfusion of whole blood in traumatically injured patients

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...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalTransfusion·DateApr 11, 2025

Children born in lower-opportunity neighborhoods may face higher incidence rates of asthma with recurrent exacerbations, NIH study finds

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).

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 9, 2025

Artificial intelligence has potential to aid physician decisions during virtual urgent care

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.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 4, 2025

ED nurses report radio silence when it comes to guidance for care of pregnant patients in states with abortion bans

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.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJONA The Journal of Nursing Administration·TypeSurvey·DateMar 31, 2025

Special issue of Academic Emergency Medicine explores the science of errors in emergency care

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.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateMar 25, 2025

No increased death rates, admission differences for people experiencing homelessness with severe COVID-19

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.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 17, 2025

Long visit in the ER? It’s a good time to learn about cervical cancer screening

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.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 11, 2025

Socioeconomically disadvantaged people still underusing emergency department services in the wake of the COVID pandemic

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 11, 2025

New consensus report on anaphylaxis: A major advancement in allergy care

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.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMar 4, 2025

Hallucinogen use linked to 2.6-fold increase in risk of death for people needing emergency care

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.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 3, 2025

Emergency clinicians increase prescriptions of buprenorphine, effectively help patients get started on the path to recovery

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 19, 2025

Opioid prescriptions in the ED linked to small increases in future opioid use, hospitalizations

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.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2025

Testing AI with AI: Ensuring effective AI implementation in clinical practice

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.

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Informatics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 5, 2025

Study shows increase in calls to poison centers for child and adolescent exposures to caffeine energy products, including 633% increase in powdered caffeine exposures

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.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of Medical Toxicology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 5, 2025

Advanced wearable technology improves support for people with dementia and their caregivers

A new pilot study assesses how caregivers use advanced wearable technology to support people with dementia, finding that it reduces emotional strain and increases caregiver satisfaction. The technology, called Theora Care, provides a wearable device and smartphone application that alerts caregivers when the person has wandered.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·DateFeb 3, 2025

COVID-19 pandemic drove significant rise in patients choosing to leave ERs before medically recommended

A recent study found that patients who left emergency departments before being medically advised had higher rates of readmission, mortality, and increased costs. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 53.6% increase in such cases, primarily due to concerns about infection, long wait times, and dissatisfaction with care.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalThe American Journal of Emergency Medicine·DateJan 30, 2025

Firearm-related hospitalizations had dropped before the pandemic, then shot up, study finds

A new study found a significant increase in firearm-related hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with rates 34% higher than predicted pre-pandemic trends. The gap was largest for Black patients, children, and those covered by Medicaid, who experienced rates 44%, 46%, and 41% higher, respectively.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 27, 2025

Emergency department physicians vary widely in their likelihood of hospitalizing a patient, even within the same facility

A new study found that emergency department physicians differ in their likelihood of hospitalizing patients, with those who admit more patients being discharged sooner but not less likely to die. The study suggests that differences in physician decision-making drive these variations, rather than patient health.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 23, 2024