Research on urgent and emergency care. Covers youth psychiatric emergencies, heat-wave response, and heat-related diagnoses.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.