Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.