Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
International experts warn that climate change will have a significant impact on emergency medical services globally, with 62% of respondents saying no assessment or action has been taken. The need for mitigation actions, education, and research is considered crucial in all regions.
Researchers identified three key trauma features - boggy swelling to the head, abdominal bruising, and thigh swelling or deformity - that prompt immediate review and prioritized treatment. The study found children brought in by carers were seen within an average time of 58.5 minutes, highlighting the need for improved triage alerts.
The study found significant disparities in age-specific all-cause mortality across racial and ethnic groups, with the greatest relative increases seen in populations ages 25 to 64. These findings deviated from pre-pandemic patterns, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address health inequities.
The American Heart Association has committed $4.7 million to strengthen stroke care in Minnesota and $5.05 million in South Dakota through the Mission: Lifeline initiative. This will improve access to timely and effective treatments for stroke patients, especially those in rural areas.
Daily multidisciplinary telemedicine rounds by board-certified intensivists failed to decrease ICU stays for critically ill adults. No significant impact on patient outcomes was observed.
A new study from UCSF has found that ChatGPT overprescribes in emergency care situations, providing unnecessary x-rays and antibiotics. The AI model was less accurate than resident physicians, with a tendency to err on the side of caution. Researchers emphasize the need for better frameworks to evaluate clinical information before AI c...
A new study by Stanford Medicine found that upgrading emergency departments to be more prepared for pediatric care could save children's lives and reduce costs. The research team analyzed data from hundreds of hospitals in 11 states and found that doing so would cut deaths of pediatric emergency patients by almost half.
Brendan G. Carr, MD, MS, receives the Colin C. Rorrie Award for Excellence in Health Policy, recognized for his work on building regional systems for emergency care and advocating for increased collaboration between public and private sectors. Ugo Ezenkwele, MD, MPH, receives the Leon L. Haley Jr. Award for Excellence in Diversity, Inc...
The study analyzes 40 years of avalanche data, showing a significant increase in survival rates from 43.5% to 53.5% and a decrease in rescue time from 45 minutes to 25 minutes.
A new study from the University of South Australia highlights the importance of validating children's pain experiences to prevent chronic pain. Researchers found that by demonstrating acceptance, understanding, and legitimacy, parents and doctors can help children feel heard and believed, leading to better emotional regulation skills a...
The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded a 10-year, $100 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to continue its Linking Investigations in Trauma and Emergency Services (LITES) Network. The network will fund new research on trauma care and expand ongoing studies.
A randomized clinical trial found that a voice-activated cognitive behavioral therapy program improved insomnia symptoms in breast cancer survivors. The intervention, delivered in an in-home setting, demonstrated efficacy in reducing sleep disturbances and enhancing overall quality of life.
Researchers found that placing defibrillation pads in the front and back position had a 2.64-fold greater odds of returning spontaneous blood circulation compared to front and side placement. The study suggests this positioning may effectively "sandwich" the heart, delivering electrical current more comprehensively.
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has identified key opportunities to strengthen climate education for healthcare professionals. The authors propose a developmental learning model with six interconnected domains that build on foundational skills in communication and collaboration.
Researchers analyzed over 150,000 COVID-19 cases in Japan and found CAPA occurred in 0.4% to 2.7% of severe or critical patients, with higher risk seen in men, older adults, and those with respiratory diseases. Early detection and treatment with antifungal drugs are crucial for improved outcomes.
The study highlights the importance of improving working conditions in A&E departments to retain doctors. Strategies such as education, community building, and mentorship can help reduce turnover rates.
Researchers found that bringing specialists to rural patients through mobile physicians provides faster treatment and better outcomes for stroke cases treated with mechanical thrombectomy. The study's findings suggest that transferring physicians can significantly prolong patient transfer times due to complexity and coordination issues.
A NIH-supported study found that optional emergency department screening increased syphilis diagnosis by 24.4% among nearly 300,000 encounters, particularly among pregnant people. The strategy can help close current healthcare gaps in syphilis diagnosis and treatment.
A clinical trial led by Washington University School of Medicine found that two anti-coagulant drugs did not improve outcomes for patients who received vessel-clearing interventions after a blood clot in the brain. The study aimed to test whether adding these medications could prevent further clots, but results showed no benefit.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that white patients are more likely to receive related diagnostic testing than Black patients after being discharged from the emergency department. This disparity raises concerns about potential overuse of tests in white patients versus undertesting and missed diagnoses in Black patients.
Researchers successfully put tadpoles into a hibernation-like state using FDA-approved donepezil (DNP), which could be repurposed to save millions of lives every year. The drug induces torpor-like symptoms and can be easily administered, making it a promising tool for emergency situations.
A recent study found that water beads have more than doubled the number of emergency department visits by children in the US from 2021 to 2022. The increase in ED visits is alarming, with over 8,000 cases reported between 2007 and 2022.
A study of nearly 30,000 US caregivers found that comprehensive mental health coverage laws reduced difficulties in accessing care for children. Caregivers from diverse backgrounds faced more challenges, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive services.
A recent study published by Florida Atlantic University found that occasional alcohol use increases the odds of intracranial hemorrhage by double when compared to those who do not drink. Daily alcohol consumption is associated with a 150% increased risk of brain bleeds from falls.
A cross-sectional study of 13,000 pediatric emergency department visits found that school reopening after a COVID-19 disruption was associated with an increase in acute psychiatric emergencies. School stress may be a significant factor in youth mental health, highlighting the need for further investigation into mediating factors.
Research on wind farms reveals their potential to slow tropical cyclone winds and reduce precipitation. Additionally, a study found that people experiencing homelessness are four times more likely to suffer temperature-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, than the general population.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University developed a new scoring model using prehospital resuscitation data to predict neurological outcomes of patients with OHCA. The R-EDByUS score achieved high precision, enabling healthcare providers to make quick and accurate decisions upon hospital arrival.
A new study found significant disparities in stroke services across the US, with hospitals in disadvantaged communities up to 42% less likely to obtain stroke center certification. Hospitals serving affluent communities are more likely to become certified, which improves patient outcomes and access to critical treatment.
A study found that large language models, despite accuracy in medical exams, fail to consistently request necessary examinations and often deviate from treatment guidelines. In comparison to human doctors, AI diagnoses achieved lower accuracy rates, highlighting concerns about their suitability for everyday clinical practice.
A four-year nationwide program improved outpatient health care quality, reducing emergency department visits by 6% for primary care and 4% for specialty care practices. Improved population management, behavioral health integration, and enhanced access were key factors associated with these reductions.
A randomized study found that individuals with cash benefits had significantly reduced emergency department visits and hospital admissions. The study suggests that policies addressing poverty through income support may have a positive impact on health and access to care.
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disabling condition affecting up to 2% of the population, with most patients experiencing years of diagnostic delays. CVS can be managed through lifestyle modifications and medications, with timely diagnoses crucial to prevent complications.
A Canadian study found that prescribing lower quantities of opioids can help reduce misuse and overdose. The study suggests adapting prescription practices to patients' analgesic needs, with varying quantities based on the type of pain condition.
A longitudinal cohort study found that telehealth availability has declined since the COVID-19 public health emergency ended, affecting mental health treatment facilities. The decline suggests a need for targeted policies to sustain telehealth access and ensure continued support for mental health care.
A new study found that 5% of outpatient patients experience adverse drug events (ADEs), with 22% being preventable. The most frequent drug classes resulting in ADEs were cardiovascular, central nervous system, and anti-infective agents.
A new study has identified significant racial and gender disparities in youth psychiatric emergency department boarding rates, with Black youth being less likely to be admitted to inpatient care. Transgender and nonbinary youth experienced longer boarding times and lower admission rates compared to cisgender females.
Researchers found that patients with sickle cell disease experience significant distress from anticipating and attending emergency departments to manage acute pain flares. The study also revealed stigma and racism in care settings, leading to a lack of control over pain management plans.
A Massachusetts statewide standing order policy led to a 32% increase in emergency contraceptive fills at pharmacies. The policy's impact was largely attributed to increased prescription-only ulipristal fill rates, which more than doubled after the policy was implemented.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that elementary age children are more likely to experience concussions during recreation and other non-sport activities. These injuries often lead to longer recovery times due to delayed specialist care. The findings highlight the need for education and awareness about co...
The West Virginia University athletic training researcher developed a new national position statement on emergency action plan development and implementation in sports. The recommendations aim to reduce catastrophic injuries by designating an emergency action plan coordinator who collaborates with other athletic staff.
A new study by Duke-NUS Medical School reveals that individuals with cognitive impairment spend an additional S$700 per year on healthcare bills, mainly due to emergency department visits and hospital admissions. The researchers emphasize the need for proactive monitoring and care strategies to mitigate this growing burden.
A new study finds that pediatric readiness in emergency departments can significantly reduce mortality by up to 76% while requiring a low annual cost of implementation, ranging from $23,775 to $145,521. Hospitals with high pediatric readiness can improve survival rates without breaking the bank.
A multicenter randomized trial identified a noninvasive ventilation method as effective in reducing the risk of hypoxemia and cardiac arrest during emergency tracheal intubation. The study found that this method cut the risk of hypoxemia in half and drastically reduced the risk of cardiac arrest compared to oxygen mask preoxygenation.
During the pandemic, humanitarian organizations showed remarkable flexibility and ingenuity in responding to supply chain disruptions. They sourced supplies from local vendors, secured long-term contracts with reliable suppliers, and leveraged good relationships with governments to continue aid delivery.
A new study by Dr. Marianne Gausche-Hill reveals that pediatric readiness in emergency departments can decrease child mortality rates by up to 76% while being cost-effective, ranging from $4 to $48 per patient. The research emphasizes the importance of prioritizing pediatric care capabilities in emergency settings.
Ransomware attacks on targeted hospitals led to a temporary decrease in emergency department visits and inpatient admissions. Nearby unattacked hospitals experienced a corresponding increase in ED visits, suggesting a broader impact of such attacks.
A study by Washington State University found that treating minor illnesses at pharmacies can be effective and cost-saving, with patients recovering from almost all their ailments after a single visit. The research suggests expanding pharmacists' clinical services could improve healthcare access and reduce costs.
A study from Alberta, Canada found that clinic continuity is associated with reduced hospital visits and emergency department usage. Patients who see the same family physician or clinic group experience fewer hospitalizations and emergency visits.
A breakthrough in trauma care has nearly quadrupled the 'golden hour' for treating large animals with internal bleeding during emergency ground and air transport. Researchers used a closed-loop, autonomous intervention system to resuscitate pigs with traumatic injuries, extending their survival time by several hours.
A UK survey of triage nurses reveals concerns over inadequate training, low staffing levels, high stress, and overcrowding in emergency departments. The study suggests that training for this vital role varies greatly and can have a negative impact on decision-making.
A new study reveals that poor access to simple elective surgery in developing countries is storing up future health problems for patients. Inguinal hernia repair was used as a tracer condition, showing that untreated hernias can lead to delayed recovery and higher healthcare costs due to the need for more complex emergency surgery.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus identified key elements to improve diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) in women, addressing the common misdiagnosis of heart attacks. The new guidelines provide recommendations to help clinicians better address sex-specific symptoms and treatments.
A study published by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that generative AI models like GPT-4 can accurately predict hospital admissions from limited records. The research suggests that AI could support doctors in emergency rooms with quick, informed decisions about patient admissions.
A recent study found that treatment with intravenous acetaminophen for 5 days in critically ill sepsis patients was safe, but did not improve the primary end point of days alive and free of organ support. The study suggests acetaminophen may have a role in preventing or treating organ dysfunction in sepsis.
The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) has released a new guideline for managing nonopioid use disorders in emergency departments. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for evaluating and treating conditions such as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, alcohol use disorder, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. The ...
A new study found that very early blood pressure lowering treatment can improve outcomes for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, but worsen outcomes for those with ischemic stroke. Rapid diagnosis of the type of stroke is crucial in harnessing the benefits of this treatment.
A cohort study found that high levels of telehealth use were associated with more clinician encounters, ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations, and higher healthcare costs. COVID-19 cases still remained high during the study period, suggesting that HSAs with higher telehealth intensity may have better capacity for health services.
New cancer projections highlight progress in reducing incidence rates for common cancers like lung, colorectal, and prostate, but also warn of rising rates for less common types such as liver, kidney, melanoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Researchers at UCSF used an AI model to analyze clinical notes and determine patient urgency, achieving an accuracy rate of 89% and surpassing human physician performance in 88% of cases. The study suggests AI could help alleviate ED overcrowding by providing backup decision-making tools for clinicians.
Research suggests that labelling vulnerable patients in hospital as 'socially admitted' can lead to incorrect assumptions about their medical needs and hinder opportunities to identify treatable issues. The study highlights the need for reform of current structures and hierarchies to improve care for these patients.