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 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.
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.
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.
A new study calls for increased health outcome reporting at ICE detention centers to monitor the quality of medical care. The researchers found discrepancies between emergency medical services and ICE reports, raising questions about the medical care provided in these centers.
A recent study found that older adults with dementia who are transferred to another hospital are less likely to receive intensive care or medical procedures within the first two days of transfer. This highlights the need for closer patient and family involvement in determining whether transfer provides optimal care.
A study of 33.1 million hospital visits found that Black and Hispanic patients are more likely to be discharged against medical advice, indicating a need for interventions to address medical segregation. This disparity may be related to unequal allocation of healthcare resources in hospitals serving racial and ethnic minoritized groups.
The American Heart Association and Neurocritical Care Society emphasize the need for improved critical care management of patients after cardiac arrest. The consensus statement highlights gaps in knowledge, particularly in areas like neurological, cardiac, and gastrointestinal care.
A new NIH grant will investigate how news media reports on community firearm violence affect survivors, communities, and policymakers. The research aims to develop evidence-based guidelines for safer reporting, inspired by successful approaches for other traumatic events.
Breath-holding spells are common in young children and are harmless, yet many undergo unnecessary diagnostic interventions. A Lund University study proposes guidelines to reduce emergency visits and provide more equitable care for affected children.
A new study by the University of Plymouth reveals that chlorine disinfectants used in hospitals are no more effective at killing off hospital superbugs than water. The research highlights the need for alternative strategies to tackle Clostridioides difficile, which causes diarrhoea, colitis and other bowel complications globally.
A study found that only 60% of ED patients with fall-related head injury followed up with their PCP, while 56% adopted a fall prevention strategy. Physical therapy was the most common intervention, used by 68% of patients.
A population-based study found a significant increase in overdose-related OHCA from 2015 to 2021, with opioid-stimulant cases having lower survival rates. The combination of increasing incidence and lower survival rates supports prevention and treatment initiatives tailored to drug-specific profiles.
A study found that Black and Hispanic cardiac arrest survivors are less likely to be treated at high-performing hospitals, leading to lower survival rates and poorer neurological outcomes. The research analyzed health records from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival and found disparities in hospital quality measures.
A study found that Black and Hispanic cardiac arrest survivors were less likely to be treated at top-performing hospitals. The analysis of health records from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) revealed significant disparities in hospital quality measures based on race/ethnicity.
Research highlights racial disparities in cardiac arrest survival among children, with Black children facing poorer outcomes. The study's findings have implications for increased resources for CPR programs in higher-risk communities.
A national study of approximately 3,500 women found that those with a history of stroke are more likely to believe they won't receive adequate emergency care due to their gender and race. This perception may lead to delays in treatment for stroke patients, highlighting the need for improved healthcare equity.
Researchers have successfully tested an MRI-equipped ambulance, enabling faster diagnosis of stroke patients and streamlining care. The device can provide diagnostic-quality images without radiation exposure, improving treatment outcomes.
The study found that bronchiolitis admissions decreased temporarily during the pandemic but then surged among older patients, suggesting atypical seasonality. Hospitals should prepare for potential outbreaks in unusual timing in 2023.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a novel app called the CHALF score to predict if a child with acute liver failure needs a transplant. The tool assesses liver failure risk on a scale of 5-60 and has been shown to accurately predict patient outcomes.
Mental health crises among children and adolescents requiring emergency department care skyrocketed during the pandemic and have stayed elevated despite a return to normalcy. Studies found increased rates of youth mental health-related visits, including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and eating disorders.
Research found that curling irons and curlers were the most common causes of burn injuries, affecting 68% of injured children under 10. Most injuries occurred at home without hospitalization required.
Researchers from Nemours Children's Health present studies on body image, sports attrition, social determinants, and obesity, highlighting fresh approaches to keeping children healthy. Dr. Steven Selbst receives the prestigious Jim Seidel Distinguished Service Award for emergency medicine contributions.
Trauma centers with high pediatric readiness scores (93 or higher) have much lower death rates than those with lower scores. The study highlights the importance of addressing gaps in pediatric emergency care, particularly the lack of a pediatric-specific quality improvement plan.
Researchers analyzed 249,000 emergency department visits and found that patients of color received lower acute scores despite similar workups. Clinical decision support systems may help reduce these disparities, but require careful calibration to avoid bias.
A formulation of vitamin C has been proven effective in treating sepsis, a deadly condition responsible for 35-50% of hospital deaths. The next phase of clinical trials will recruit 300 adult septic patients to receive the treatment.
A new generative AI model enhances clinical accuracy and textual quality of chest radiograph reports, surpassing traditional methods like teleradiology. Its implementation could enable timely alerts for life-threatening conditions, aiding imaging interpretation and documentation.
The study found that Paxlovid treatment was associated with reduced risk of COVID-19 hospitalization or death in clinically extremely vulnerable individuals. Severely immunocompromised patients showed the greatest benefit from this treatment.
A recent study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that a community-wide naloxone distribution program did not significantly reduce opioid overdose deaths. The study, which ran from 2017 to 2019, saw no significant change in median monthly opioid overdose rates despite widespread availability of the medication.
A recent study found that black children with asthma are more likely to receive severe treatment, including breathing treatments, but less likely to be transported to the hospital compared to their white peers. The study highlights the need for improved care and health equity in managing pediatric chronic asthma.
Adult Black patients experience higher risk of physical restraint in emergency departments compared to other racial groups, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study emphasizes the importance of considering how racism may affect disparate use of restraints among adult patients.
A study of 2,708 emergency medicine residents found significant disparities in performance assessments by race, ethnicity, and sex. Female residents from underrepresented groups experienced the most severe disparities, which increased over multiple assessments.
A study found sociodemographic-based disparities in COVID-19 therapeutic drug availability, revealing gaps in treatment access. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.
A new study co-authored by MIT economist Jonathan Gruber found that a New York City program helped arrange medical appointments for undocumented immigrants with limited incomes, leading to a substantial drop in emergency room use. The program resulted in a 21 percent decline in ER visits and a 42 percent decrease for individuals with h...
A new study found that only one out of four recommended screening tools for sepsis is reliable, with NEWS-2 accurately predicting 72.2% of all sepsis cases. The study also highlights the need for better awareness and more frequent use of effective screening tools to improve early sepsis recognition and survival rates.
A new study suggests that collecting and sharing positive feedback among healthcare workers can increase mutual appreciation and improve the work culture. Researchers analyzed peer-to-peer positive feedback and found that it is a feasible way to foster teamwork, collegiality, and civility.
A study of 194 patients found that those with alcohol-related diagnoses made 44% more visits and had a 138% higher death rate over 20 years compared to controls. Targeted interventions in emergency departments may help reduce this significant health burden.
Research found that children in child care with onsite meals and snacks had better health outcomes, including lower rates of food insecurity and hospital admissions. Strengthening child care nutrition programs could benefit families and society as a whole through cost savings and improved health.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for self-harm and suicidal ideation among adolescents, particularly young female adolescents. The disruptions of the pandemic may have contributed to this trend.
Research finds that women are less likely than men to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in public places, but the gap is narrower for older adults. In private settings, the likelihood of receiving CPR decreases with age, particularly for men.
A study found that ultrasound scans performed by emergency physicians can nearly halve the time patients spend in emergency departments. This technology, known as point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), enables faster diagnoses and treatment for suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Researchers found that half of patients need only five tablets or fewer of morphine to manage acute pain, varying by condition. The study aims to adapt opioid prescriptions according to patient need and reduce long-term misuse.
Receiving two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine was associated with lower risk of COVID-19 emergency department and outpatient visits. The risk appeared lower for those with two versus three doses, despite Omicron sublineages becoming dominant.
A pilot study found that ChatGPT performed as well as doctors in suggesting the most likely diagnoses for patients being assessed in emergency medicine departments. The chatbot generated a list of likely diagnoses and suggested the most likely option, with a large overlap between its shortlist and those of doctors.
A study found large increases in cannabis-involved traffic injury emergency department visits in Ontario, Canada. The research suggests that commercialization of non-medical cannabis may have accelerated these incidents, highlighting the need for greater prevention efforts.
A new study by Indiana University School of Medicine found that increasing pediatric readiness in emergency departments can reduce racial disparities in children and adolescents with acute medical emergencies. The higher the level of readiness, the lower the disparity between racial and ethnic groups.
A new study assesses COVID-19's impact on ED visits in BC, revealing a 42% reduction in respiratory issues and 35% drop in mental health concerns during the pandemic. Visits returned to pre-pandemic levels in May 2021, with some areas experiencing higher volumes due to heat-related overdoses.
A large-scale study of 633,000 children found that increased pediatric readiness in emergency departments decreased overall mortality, but had little effect on racial disparities. Black children were more likely to die from acute medical emergencies compared to white children.
Researchers found a significant disparity in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates between Black and Hispanic EMS agencies in certain areas, with lower rates reported in these agencies. The study's findings suggest that further assessment is needed to address these discrepancies.
Researchers investigated the quality of CPR directions provided by AI voice assistants and found they lacked relevance and consistency. The study recommends relying on emergency services for life-saving care instead of self-directed guidance from AI tools.
Researchers found that women are more likely to experience symptoms like shortness of breath and flu-like symptoms before a cardiac arrest, whereas men tend to experience chest pain. The study aims to improve the prediction and prevention of sudden cardiac death by identifying warning signs.