Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
A pediatric observation unit with a psychiatric comanagement model significantly lowers pediatric emergency department length of stay and inpatient psychiatric admission rates. This innovative approach also avoids contributing to 30-day readmission rates, presenting potential savings for inpatient psychiatric resources.
A study by Washington State University found ChatGPT's generative AI system provided inconsistent heart risk assessments for patients with chest pain. The AI failed to match traditional methods used by physicians and returned different results for the same patient data, highlighting its limitations in high-stakes clinical situations.
The Hulen Place Clinic, serving 3,725 homeless individuals in Riverside County, has received a $500,000 funding boost from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The clinic provides primary care, mental health services, and preventive care to low-income residents.
A new study reveals that pediatric emergency departments miss signs of epilepsy in two-thirds of cases. Nonmotor seizures, which cause 'zones out' behavior, are often overlooked due to similarities with anxiety and panic attacks.
Researchers validated pediatric emergency department guidelines promoting safer CT scan use, finding both predictive rules safe and effective in minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure. The study enrolled thousands of children and adolescents nationwide, showing high accuracy in identifying cases requiring immediate intervention.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that 1 in 20 emergency department patients experience housing insecurity, presenting with increased risk of chronic disease and injury. Screening for homelessness is crucial to tailor care for this susceptible patient population.
A study confirms midazolam's positive effect on post-cardiac arrest oxygen saturation and CO2 levels. Administering midazolam to patients who have been successfully resuscitated improves their chances of optimal blood oxygenation and gas exchange.
A new study by Loma Linda University reveals that mechanical bull riding is a real public health concern, especially for young riders. The study found that traumatic brain injuries are the most common outcome, and long-term consequences can be severe, including memory issues and learning disabilities.
Researchers studied hundreds of teams in a US hospital ED and found that teams with disconnected roles provided less efficient care, whereas teams with intersecting roles were more effective. The cognitive versatility of team members played a crucial role in this finding.
A new study found that First Nations patients in Alberta are more likely to leave emergency departments without completing treatment, with 6.8% of visits ending in incomplete care compared to 3.7% for non-First Nations patients. Racism and stereotyping, as well as communication issues, transportation barriers, and wait times, were iden...
A recent study found that preoperative GLP-1 receptor agonist use is not associated with an increased risk of postoperative respiratory complications. The results suggest liberalizing withholding guidelines for these medications may be beneficial.
A study led by the University of Cambridge found that AI models like GPT-4 outperformed doctors in diagnosing and treating eye problems. The researchers suggest using AI for triaging patients and providing advice in well-controlled contexts, where access to specialist healthcare professionals is limited.
A Texas A&M University study found that freestanding emergency departments in Texas treat younger, healthier patients with moderate and low-intensity issues. The facilities handle nearly one quarter of all emergency department visits in the state and incur similar costs to hospital EDs.
A new study from UC Davis Health validates intra-abdominal injury (IAI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) prediction rules to reduce unnecessary CT scans in pediatric trauma patients. The study found high accuracy rates for IAI and TBI predictions, decreasing the need for CT imaging.
Synthetic platelets made of hydrogel nanoparticles mimic the size and shape of human platelets, promoting clotting and healing. The innovative device has shown promising results in animal models and is being developed for clinical use to treat various medical conditions.
A new national poll finds that 60% of people aged 50-80 have visited urgent care clinics or retail clinics for medical care in the past two years. Many sought immediate attention, vaccinations, or tests, and 75% plan to use these sites again in the next two years.
A cluster randomized controlled trial found that patient education about flu shots during a non-life threatening emergency department visit increases vaccination rates, particularly in patients without regular primary care. The study showed that participants who received video education materials were more likely to get vaccinated, wit...
A study published in Critical Care identified eight different trauma phenotypes associated with lower in-hospital mortality when treated with tranexamic acid. The researchers used a machine learning model to analyze data from over 50,000 patients and found subgroups of patients who received no benefit from treatment.
Researchers found a 32% vaccine uptake among patients asked about receiving the flu shot and a 41% uptake for those who received a pamphlet, watched a video, and were told about benefits. The study suggests a systematic approach to increase vaccine uptake among underserved populations.
A new policy analysis from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute identifies the intensive care crisis in rural America and proposes comprehensive solutions. The study suggests policies like reducing uninsured populations through ACA Medicaid expansion and increasing healthcare workforce can strengthen rural intensive care capacity.
Researchers analyzed trauma injury data from over 56,000 car crash victims and found that women have a higher shock index, indicating a greater risk of hemorrhagic shock. This suggests that female bodies may handle blood loss differently than male bodies, warranting further investigation into car safety design and first aid response.
A new study shows that hospitals struggle to consistently collect accurate racial and ethnicity data from patients who visit their emergency department multiple times. The findings suggest that nearly a quarter of adult patients and up to 32% of children receive different race or ethnicity designations on subsequent visits, indicating ...
A new UCLA Health study found that women and individuals who don't fit traditional norms in the emergency room environment are underrepresented due to the challenging cultural dynamics. Most medical students who pursued emergency medicine despite this hurdle indicated they needed mentorship, representation, and exposure to the specialty.
A qualitative study of 25 Black patient interviews reveals significant medical mistrust and anticipation of racism in emergency care. The study suggests system improvements are needed to address these issues and improve health outcomes for Black patients.
A new study by the University of Illinois Chicago found that the average age for cardiac arrest outside the hospital fell from 64.7 to 62.7 among Chicagoans, with Black men experiencing the largest decline, leading to a 75% increase in lost years of life.
A comprehensive study found pulse oximeters significantly overestimated oxygen saturation readings in individuals with darker skin tones. This could lead to missed treatments and incorrect diagnoses, as devices may not accurately reflect critical oxygen levels.
Exposure to neighborhood violence among children is associated with unmet physical and mental health care needs, increased acute care utilization, and poor school performance. The study calls for evidence-based interventions to improve access to care in communities impacted by violence.
A new study led by the University of Surrey found that live video streaming from trauma incidents to emergency medical services using smartphones is feasible to implement and evaluate. The technology could aid decision-making about dispatching the right personnel and vehicles to major trauma incidents.
A bilingual healthcare app is being launched to assist Canadians in maintaining their health during the current healthcare crisis. The app aims to encourage users to take proactive steps towards preventative care, providing them with personalized recommendations and resources.
A new review of research evidence suggests that having fewer nurses on shift in emergency departments is associated with longer waits, patients leaving without being seen, and a higher number of cardiac arrests. This is linked to increased pressure on the healthcare system due to increasing demand and complex health problems.
The Changing High-Risk Asthma in Memphis through Partnership (CHAMP) program significantly decreased healthcare use related to asthma by addressing access to care, fragmented care, and social needs. After one year of enrollment, results showed a 48% reduction in ED visits, 68% reduction in inpatient and observation visits.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Health System developed a novel protocol for rapid diagnosis of eye stroke, improving outcomes and preserving vision. The protocol uses high-resolution retinal imaging in emergency rooms, along with remote consultation, to confirm diagnosis and expedite care.
A new study reveals significant variations in emergency medical service (EMS) performance across urban and rural communities. EMS systems often focus on response times rather than patient-specific clinical care, leading to inconsistent quality of care.
A new study from the Icahn School of Medicine of Mount Sinai reveals significant variations in emergency medical service (EMS) performance across the United States. The research found that EMS agencies in rural areas were less likely to provide optimal care, including treating low blood sugar and pain for trauma patients.
A digital app has been found to reduce emergency hospital admissions from care homes by 25%, as well as A&E attendances by 11%. The use of the Health Call app led to a cost reduction for the NHS of £57 per resident in 2018, increasing to £113 in 2021.
A recent study reveals significant disparities in emergency department use among transgender and cisgender Medicare beneficiaries. The findings highlight increased utilization of emergent services, particularly for psychological care, which are more likely to lead to hospital admissions.
A recent study found that mobile patient lift-assisted early mobilization in ventilated ICU patients led to earlier standing and improved physical function. The intervention group exhibited higher Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit scores at ICU discharge, supporting the benefits of proactive early mobilization.
Eleven prominent researchers recognized for groundbreaking work in stroke and brain health, with a focus on improving treatments and addressing disparities. The honorees include experts in magnetic resonance imaging, inherited risk factors, and clinical stroke research.
A study of emergency department visits reveals that most injuries from conducted energy devices, such as TASERs, involve young Black and white males from low-income areas. This finding is consistent with existing research on police violence and racial disparities in the US population.
A Canadian study found that 30% of parent caregivers have unmet emotional needs and 15% feel inadequately involved in their child's care. Providing regular updates and addressing parents' emotional needs can help ease pressures of ER crowding.
A new study found that people with drug-related cardiac arrests in the U.S. were more likely to be younger and have fewer coexisting health conditions compared to non-drug-related cardiac arrests, which was a surprising finding given the increasing number of overdose deaths.
The American Heart Association has outlined three target needs for improving cardiac arrest outcomes by 2030: increasing bystander CPR rates, defibrillation, and survival after cardiac arrest. The goal is to double survivorship to 20% through increased access to lifesaving care in underrepresented communities.
A new app developed by Toho University researchers enhances nurses' care coordination competency for critically ill patients on life support. The app utilizes the Nurses' Care Coordinate Competency Scale and provides immediate feedback to improve care coordination behaviors.
A study of 824 N95 masks used by 412 emergency department workers found that trifold N95s had a higher incidence of fit failure compared to dome N95s. The results highlight the importance of selecting appropriate N95 masks for reuse and extended use in pandemic preparedness
A new study found a significant decline in emergency department visits related to emergency contraception, dropping by 96% between 2006 and 2020. The decrease was attributed to the FDA's approval of over-the-counter emergency contraception, which also reduced medical costs by $7.6 million.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to monitor patient variables and predict sepsis before symptom onset. The tool resulted in a 17% reduction in mortality rates.
A new study found that Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to be restrained in an emergency department compared to White patients. However, female Black and Hispanic patients with mental illness or substance use disorder were more likely to receive restraints than male counterparts.
A study found that the No Surprises Act's independent dispute resolution (IDR) process would be financially unfeasible for a large portion of out-of-network claims for hospital-based specialties, particularly radiologists. This could undermine patient access to in-network care due to limited bargaining power.
A systematic review of 95 studies found that 3D camera system estimates, patient self-estimates, and the Lorenz method are accurate for estimating adult body weight. However, no method is foolproof, and alternative strategies should be available when patients are unable to provide an estimate.
Despite pandemic disruptions, emergency visits, hospital admissions, and intensive care unit stays were lower for children. However, there were delays in new diagnoses of cancer and diabetes, and an increase in diabetic ketoacidosis among children with diabetes. Researchers urge education campaigns to improve future pandemic preparedness.
A new study highlights the importance of leadership in addressing the NHS retention crisis, citing poor working conditions, burnout, and lack of support as major issues. The research suggests that better leadership training and ongoing support for leaders are crucial to improving wellbeing at work.
Diagnostic errors in hospitalized adults who died or were transferred to the intensive care unit were common, with problems in test choice and clinician assessment identified as high-priority areas for improvement. The study analyzed 2,428 patient records at 29 hospitals and found that these errors led to significant patient harm.
Researchers from UC San Francisco have found that Paxlovid treatment does not reduce the risk of developing long COVID. They also discovered a higher proportion of individuals with acute symptoms rebounding after treatment, and those who took Paxlovid were just as likely to develop severe Long COVID symptoms as those who did not.
Researchers developed mathematical models based on real events data from the Swedish Trauma Registry, showing that AI models outperformed clinical outcomes. The study highlights the potential of AI-powered decision support to improve ambulance staff's ability to assess injury severity and potentially save more lives.
Making antivenom more widely available across hospitals and community health centers in the Brazilian Amazon region would significantly reduce death and disability from venomous snakebites. The study found that expanding access to both hospitals and community health centers would produce the largest benefits, averting up to 3,922 death...
A new study found that trauma survivors who received comprehensive mental health support after discharge had significantly lower hospital readmission rates. Researchers analyzed data from 171 patients and found that those receiving standard care had nearly twice as many readmissions as those with the intervention.
Patients screened in emergency departments (ED) are more likely to screen positive for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) needs compared to primary care patients. Primary care may be better optimized to address SDOH needs, with lower screening rates.
Researchers found that bleeding control kits should be placed in two or more locations on premises, with a walking distance of under 90 seconds. Located near AEDs is more beneficial than at entrances, where they may be difficult to reach.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine will collect data on trauma patients for 3.5 years to identify lifesaving advancements in medical triage. The goal is to predict the need for interventions in real-time, enabling more effective triage and improved mass casualty response efforts.
A new study by researchers at University College London found that reducing oxygen levels for critically ill children on mechanical ventilators can lead to better outcomes, including reduced days spent on machines supporting organs. This approach has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs globally.