Research on urgent and emergency care. Covers youth psychiatric emergencies, heat-wave response, and heat-related diagnoses.
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 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.
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 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).
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Patients with caregivers at higher depression risk experienced poorer quality of life and increased emergency department use. Additional caregiving resources could improve patient outcomes in Parkinson's disease.
Consistent disparities among marginalized populations are more likely to experience unexplained queue jumps and hallway placement. Standardizing triage processes can help mitigate conscious and unconscious biases in emergency departments.
Octapharma's Balfaxar, a prothrombin complex concentrate, has received FDA approval for the urgent reversal of acquired coagulation factor deficiency induced by vitamin K antagonist therapy. The product demonstrated effective hemostasis in 94.6% of patients and was non-inferior to comparator Kcentra.
A new study finds that people with dementia account for nearly 7% of all emergency visits over age 65, with twice the rate of seeking care after accidents or behavioral crises. Better supporting dementia caregivers could prevent future emergency visits and reduce risks associated with antipsychotic medications.
A new study found that a dedicated older people's emergency department at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital reduced wait times by 20% compared to the main emergency department. Patients treated under this initiative received earlier frailty assessments within 34 minutes of arrival, leading to fewer hospital admissions.
Researchers from Osaka University identified ten blood proteins associated with mortality in severe burns, including HBA1, TTR, and SERPINF2. These proteins may serve as targets for developing new treatment methods for burns, offering a promising direction for future research.
During the pandemic, acute care use for mental health conditions among youth increased notably, particularly among adolescent females. Prolonged boarding in emergency departments and waiting for inpatient psychiatric care are concerning trends that require interventions to address.
A UCLA-led team is tracking mpox outbreaks across the US with a new surveillance project called CRASHED. The research aims to identify cases beyond high-risk groups and determine if mpox remains rare or resurges more broadly.
Death rates due to unintentional poisonings and firearm homicides rose substantially in the US from 1999 to 2020, highlighting a pressing public health concern. The study's findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address this alarming trend.
A systematic review of geriatric ED patients with delirium reveals that 16% of older adults presenting with altered mental status have acutely abnormal head imaging findings. Focal neurological deficits greatly increase the risk of abnormal head CTs, while anticoagulation is not associated with these abnormalities.
A new machine learning model developed by University of Pittsburgh researchers uses electrocardiogram (ECG) readings to diagnose and classify heart attacks faster and more accurately than current approaches. The model improves risk assessment, helping patients receive appropriate care without delay.
A third of under-fives attending Paediatric Emergency Departments have unmet vaccination need, with tetanus and MMR vaccination coverage levels below target. Researchers call for catch-up campaigns to reach this vulnerable group.
The inaugural issue of CHEST Critical Care focuses on clinically relevant research and patient management guidance for critical care medicine. The journal accepts submissions of original research, case series, and research letters, covering topics such as intensive care medicine and diverse populations.
Medical evacuation by train in a war zone is possible and can transport more severely ill or injured individuals due to intensive care capacity on board. The target population should not be limited to trauma patients only.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that California's emergency department capacity has not kept up with patient demand, leading to long wait times. The number of high-severity visits increased by nearly 68 percent, while low-severity visits declined by 63 percent.
A peer support group intervention has been shown to be feasible and acceptable among undocumented Latinx immigrants with kidney failure. The study found that the intervention built camaraderie and provided emotional support, which is particularly important for socially marginalized uninsured populations.
A pilot study suggests that high-definition cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (HD C-tDCS) may be beneficial for acute ischemic stroke patients. In the study, patients who received HD C-tDCS showed improved blood flow and a significant rescue of threatened brain tissue, compared to those in the sham group.
A new study reveals that transgender people seen in the emergency room are sicker than cisgender individuals and more likely to be admitted to hospital. The research found a significant increase in ER visits by transgender patients between 2006 and 2018, with over half of these visits linked to chronic conditions or mental health issues.
A qualitative study reveals institutional plans to protect frontline clinicians from resource allocation may be unworkable. Clinicians must be directly integrated into emergency responses to effectively manage healthcare resource scarcity.
Researchers found that 'concerning' CT imaging results were associated with lower clinical outcomes and shorter hospital stays in low-risk patients with acute pulmonary embolism. This suggests that emergency physicians may be managing these patients differently, leading to unnecessary hospitalizations.
A new study has found that the drug tranexamic acid significantly improves survival rates among severely injured patients, with approximately four extra survivors for every 100 treated with the medication. However, the long-term outcomes of care and quality of life remain a concern, highlighting the need for further research.
A study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Care of the Athletic Heart conference found that only 50% of athletes surveyed reported knowing what sudden cardiac arrest is or being concerned about it during play. The researchers identified 46 cases of sports-related cardiac arrests between 1984 and 2022 involving CPR, with ...
Researchers have developed an effective treatment that accelerates recovery after stroke by modulating astrocyte reactivity and cortical connectivity. The treatment, which involves administering a molecule called C3a in nasal drops, has shown positive results in mice with stroke, offering new hope for faster and better recovery.
The DACA program has transformed the lives of thousands of undocumented immigrants, but its uncertain future poses significant risks for their health. The authors argue that policymakers must reassess restrictions on government-sponsored healthcare subsidies to ensure equal access to care.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that home healthcare clinics, especially enhanced ones, provide better emergency and end-of-life care than general clinics. This research suggests a shift towards more effective home care support for an aging population in Japan.
A study analyzed tweets from nearly 500 emergency medicine physicians, finding a significant increase in expressions of loneliness, anger, and anxiety during the pandemic. Positive themes took a dive, while negative emotions dominated, with loneliness increasing by up to 17% compared to pre-pandemic years.
A Eurac Research-led team tested drones' effectiveness in locating and providing first aid to injured people in difficult-to-access terrain. The study found that drone-assisted rescue operations reduced treatment time by 30% and saved critical minutes in cases of traumatic injuries and cardiac arrest.
Emergency departments are currently unsafe due to staff shortages and overcrowding, leading to increased mortality and harm. Patients also report feeling uncomfortable with ED staff, citing exhaustion and frustration as contributing factors.
Researchers explore ED visits as a continuum of care, evaluating frailty in older adults and deprescribing medications. The studies aim to improve subsequent care through better communication between emergency departments and primary care doctors.
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that repeated soccer headers equivalent to a throw-in did not cause immediate neurophysiological deficits for teens. However, oblique headers resulted in higher levels of angular head motion, suggesting proper training is necessary to reduce the risk of injury.
A rapid diagnostic test for sepsis has been validated in the emergency department, providing a reliable aid for early detection. The study found that the test improved sepsis triage and reduced time to diagnosis, leading to better patient outcomes.
A new scientific statement co-authored by the American Heart Association recommends teaching CPR to school-aged children as early as age 4, with layers of skill-building throughout childhood. This approach aims to educate generations on responding to cardiac arrest and increasing survival rates globally.
A Cochrane review found that individual-level stress management interventions, such as cognitive behavioral training and exercise, can reduce stress in healthcare workers for up to a year. The long-term effects of these interventions remain unknown, highlighting the need for further research.
A new AI algorithm named CoDE-ACS can quickly and accurately rule out heart attacks in patients, improving diagnosis and reducing hospital admissions. The tool has the potential to reduce misdiagnosis and inequalities in diagnosis across different populations.
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.
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.
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...
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.