Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine has released a new clinical practice guideline for the treatment of acute dizziness and vertigo in emergency departments. The guideline is based on evidence-based recommendations and aims to improve patient care by reducing unnecessary imaging and promoting logical, algorithmic approaches.
A study of 5302 patients found no significant difference in bleeding events between those temporarily discontinuing and maintaining antithrombotic therapy during image-guided breast biopsies. The findings support the safety of continuing antithrombotic therapy, but counsel patients on bruising risk.
A recent study investigated social media posts of emergency medicine physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing key thematic shifts in language related to anxiety, anger, depression, and loneliness. Social media was found to provide a real-time landscape for evaluating emotional well-being among healthcare workers.
Hospitals affected by ransomware may see increased patient loads and resource strain, impacting time-sensitive care for acute stroke patients. Targeted cyberattacks can have regional disaster implications on healthcare delivery.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system provides a promising career path for emergency physicians, offering competitive salaries and various opportunities for growth and development. The VA's focus on excellent care, education, and research provides a supportive environment for medical professionals to thrive.
Over the past decade, pediatric emergency department visits related to mental health concerns have significantly increased, with a 5-fold rise in suicide-related cases. The study underscores the urgent need for enhanced crisis and emergency mental health services for young people, particularly those experiencing suicidal symptoms.
A growing number of states have implemented policies to cover outpatient hemodialysis for undocumented immigrants with kidney failure. This expansion may be due to increased awareness of poor outcomes with emergency hemodialysis and advocacy efforts. The move towards covering dialysis in all 50 states is called for by experts, who also...
The US military medical system is not ready to handle major conflicts with near-peer adversaries, who possess similar military capabilities. Prolonged field care training and strong patient data are crucial to address the challenges of evacuating wounded soldiers and providing specialized surgical care.
Researchers found deaths from gallstone disease increased in younger populations and those with Medicaid after Medicaid expansion, highlighting the need for proactive prevention over reactive emergency care. A new healthcare model emphasizing primary care and prevention is proposed to address these inequities.
A study found that young adults who experienced gunshot, stab, or assault wounds as children have significantly higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population. Ten respondents screened positive for probable PTSD, and nearly 17% reported persistent symptoms related to their injury.
A pilot study found that peer-support groups for emergency department physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced symptoms of distress, depression, and burnout. The study's results suggest that this low-cost intervention could be beneficial for healthcare workers in stressful situations.
A study found that hospital characteristics, such as staff comfort and ICU nurse availability, significantly impact who receives ICU care. Researchers also discovered that hospitals prioritize expedited interhospital transfers to prevent delays, rather than following medical guidelines.
A London hospital recently took swift action to contain a potential measles outbreak, highlighting the importance of vaccination and prompt contact tracing. The hospital identified nine patients at high risk, including pregnant women and those with severe immunosuppression, and administered post-exposure prophylaxis to those not immune.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that only 7% of Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder (OUD) received residential treatment, highlighting a significant gap in care. Residential treatment centers provide structured support and are considered one of the best treatments for severe substance use.
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that climate change-related natural disasters have increased since 1980 and cost the US over $2 trillion in recovery costs. The analysis suggests that rising CO2 levels and temperatures will lead to more frequent and severe disasters, with exponentially increasing costs.
A new machine learning model estimates optimal treatment timing for sepsis, taking into account vital signs and lab test results to predict patient survival. The model was trained on a dataset of over 14,000 individuals with sepsis and showed improved outcomes when actual treatment matched the recommended timeline.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that intramuscular administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) is safe and quickly reaches therapeutic concentrations in pregnant women. Oral TXA was also well-tolerated but took an hour to reach therapeutic blood concentrations.
A multi-site NIH study shows that less than 1% of people with opioid use disorder experience withdrawal when starting buprenorphine in the emergency department. The findings provide strong evidence for safe and effective buprenorphine treatment, even for those using stronger opioids like fentanyl.
Rates of naloxone prescriptions for high-risk individuals and co-prescribing with opioids rose in emergency departments from 2012 to 2019. Opioid prescribing guidelines made it easier for doctors to prescribe naloxone, which is highly effective at reversing opioid overdose effects.
Research finds that comprehensive care services delivered by Canadian family physicians have decreased over 20 years, with no difference in decline between early-career and experienced physicians. This suggests that factors other than training or interest are driving the decrease.
A statewide incentive program in Pennsylvania is associated with a 50% improvement in initiating medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder among Medicaid-enrolled patients. The study found that the program increased prescription fills for buprenorphine and substance use disorder treatment within a week of emergency departme...
A new study assesses sleep and fatigue risk in emergency physicians over two months using a wearable device, revealing that 50% of their shifts are spent in a high cognitive readiness state. The researchers also found that later shift start times are associated with greater fatigue due to circadian rhythm disruption.
A study of 608,000 obstetric discharges found postpartum emergency department visits were more common among Black and Hispanic patients at safety net hospitals. These disparities support the need to address structural racism in maternal health care.
A Cochrane review found that eliminating hazards around the home, such as clutter and poor lighting, can reduce the risk of falls for older people by around a quarter. Decluttering and reducing hazards had the most benefit for those at high risk of falls.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that men over 65 are at a higher risk of developing skull fractures due to head trauma from falls. The research compared geriatric males and females, with surprising results indicating males had a significantly increased incidence of skull fracture.
A new study reveals that school shootings are associated with a 7-14% increase in stress-related emergency department visits in surrounding communities. The research also highlights the need to prevent gun violence to mitigate community-wide costs. School shootings were found to worsen mental health and increase health system costs.
More than half of all reported poisonings affect children ages 5 and younger, with opioids responsible for over half of fatal poisonings. Opioids have contributed to a significant increase in child poisoning deaths despite regulation measures.
A West Virginia University study found that patients treated for motor vehicle collision injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic used more drugs, including cannabinoids, opioids, and stimulants. The study suggests public health interventions may be needed to curb this behavior in rural areas.
Leading medical organizations have formed a coalition to combat the growing problem of firearm violence in the US. The Healthcare Coalition for Firearm Injury Prevention aims to promote education, advocacy, and community-centered approaches to reduce firearm-related injuries.
The March issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services focus on major depression treatment advances and suicide risk screening for Indigenous populations. Journalists can access the publications by emailing press@psych.org.
A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that combining cocaine with ethanol increases the risk of cardiac arrest, higher lactate concentrations, and lower occurrence of myocardial injury. The study suggests that cocaethylene, a metabolite of cocaine and ethanol, is more toxic than either substance alone.
A study of US adults found that Black men have a 50% higher death rate within 30 days of elective surgery compared to White men and women. The researchers highlight the need for better understanding of challenges facing Black men requiring surgery in the US.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that ECMO significantly improves survival rates among patients with severe hypothermia, compared to conventional rewarming methods. The treatment was also associated with faster rewarming times.
Research found significant room for improvement in accuracy of California's provider directories and timely access to mental health care. Despite stringent regulations, inaccurate directories and inadequate networks hindered access to essential services.
A study found an increase in unstable living situations and intimate partner violence between January 2019 and December 2020, with a temporary spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest the need for prenatal screening and support services to address these issues.
Recreational nitrous oxide use can lead to subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, causing serious disability in young people. The new guidelines provide practical solutions for early recognition and effective treatment to alleviate pressure on hospitals.
Pediatric patients with LEP face challenges in emergency rooms, but a CHOP study shows that implementing quality improvement measures can increase the use of medical interpreters and improve documentation of language needs. The research team introduced new processes to identify language needs and offer interpreters as needed, leading t...
A new algorithm uses patient-reported outcomes to identify patients with cancer who are at increased odds of having unplanned emergency department visits. The algorithm, which calculates a symptom complexity score, has shown that patients with high complexity scores are three times more likely to use the ED.
A new study by UC Davis Health confirms that pediatric critical care telemedicine consults result in significantly fewer interfacility transfers for critically ill children. The study found that 84% of patients assigned to telemedicine were transferred, compared to 90.6% for those with telephone consultations.
A new program, backed by a $1.5 million grant, provides education and training on stroke care for paramedics and healthcare providers in seven Central Virginia counties. The program aims to reduce disparities in stroke deaths among non-Hispanic Black individuals in these communities.
Researchers from the University of Colorado found that Paxlovid significantly reduced rates of hospitalization and death among non-hospitalized patients infected with recent Omicron subvariants. The study used real-world data from 28,000 patients and suggested a benefit for Paxlovid in preventing severe disease.
The American Heart Association is recognizing 10 leading stroke scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of stroke research. Among them, Dr. Cheryl Bushnell will be honored with the Ralph L. Sacco Outstanding Stroke Research Mentor Award for her exceptional mentorship and research in women's issues related to str...
Research reveals that opioid tapering can lead to more hospitalizations and emergency department visits, while also reducing primary care visit rates. The study's findings suggest potential unintended consequences of opioid tapering for policymakers and clinicians.
Researchers found that some states, such as Ohio and Nevada, have the highest per-capita visits to emergency departments for mental health conditions, while others, like Colorado and West Virginia, have the lowest. Heavy reliance on emergency departments is problematic due to a lack of suitable care in these areas.
The European Health Union aims to detect, prepare, and respond collectively to future health threats. The EU Health Security Framework has been reinforced to learn from lessons learned during the pandemic, with a focus on close collaboration among ECDC, EMA, and HERA.
A diabetes screening program in an urban emergency department found high rates of undiagnosed prediabetes and type 2 diabetes among racial and ethnic minority individuals and low-income patients. The study suggests that targeted outreach to those with higher hemoglobin A1c levels may be more cost-effective.
The pandemic exacerbated workforce shortages, low wages, and increased consumer responsibility in self-directed care. Policies like the Appendix K guidelines showed potential to alleviate unmet care needs, but further flexibility is needed to support consumers and workers.
Primary care physicians and patients expressed concerns about digital detection surveillance of infectious diseases, including ambiguity over consent and potential discrimination. High-quality primary care was associated with reduced hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers modified an algorithm to detect urinary tract infections (UTIs) in primary care settings, removing microscopy features that weren't available. The new algorithm performed well and suggests withholding antibiotics from low-risk patients to reduce antibiotic overuse.
Researchers analyzed data from Ontario, Canada and found no evidence that virtual care increased emergency department visits. The study controlled for various factors, including patient complexity and practitioner characteristics.
Research identifies significant barriers in ER care for patients with mental health and substance use disorders, including emotional, diagnostic, and logistical challenges. Broad changes are needed to improve emergency care for this patient population.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes the importance of rapid evaluation for TIA, which can lead to full-blown stroke. The statement offers a standardized approach to evaluating people with suspected TIA, including guidance for hospitals in rural areas with limited resources.
A trapped mountaineer survived 16 frigid hours in a crevasse on Denali, highlighting the importance of expert rescue efforts and proper treatment. The case study emphasizes the need for responders to continue extrication and treatment efforts even when survival seems impossible.
A study found that hospitals with high levels of pediatric care readiness have significantly lower child mortality rates compared to those with low readiness. Adopting national pediatric care readiness standards as laid out by the National Pediatric Readiness Project may prevent over 1,400 child deaths.
Research on COVID-19 variants reveals that infants and toddlers with co-infections are significantly more likely to need oxygen therapy and ICU-level care. Co-infection rates were highest during the delta variant, followed by omicron and alpha.
A study by University of Missouri-Columbia researchers found a significant increase in pediatric firearm injuries during the pandemic, with Black and low-income children being most at risk. The monthly injury rate increased by 51.5% during the pandemic, leading to a 29% increase in pediatric firearm deaths.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found a sharp increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits among California adults ages 65 and older from 2005 to 2019. The rate increased by 1,808%, with more than 12,000 visits reported in 2019.
The American College of Physicians summarizes new guidelines for treating patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The 2022 update provides important clarifications to the 2020 guidelines, focusing on comprehensive care, glycemic monitoring, lifestyle interventions, antihyperglycemic therapies, and educational approaches.
Pediatric mental health emergency department visits are rising, driven by markers of disease severity and healthcare access issues. Targeted hospital and community interventions can help mitigate recurrent visits and improve mental health care delivery.
A recent study found that 1 in 5 children and teens who visit emergency departments due to mental health crises will still be there after 12 hours. Another 1 in 13 will remain after a full day, with over 60% being suicidal or having self-harmed.