Articles Tagged With: ED
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Geriatric Patients Need Advance Directives and Transdisciplinary Care Across Continuum
Millions of older Americans visit emergency departments each year, often for traumatic injuries, including falls that can lead to death. Case managers and health systems should consider how to improve end-of-life care discussions and advance directive documentation in this population. -
Hospital Successfully Addresses Medication List Errors in ED
Many patients’ medication lists contain errors when they are admitted through the ED. South Shore Hospital in South Weymouth, MA, addressed the problem by changing its electronic health record software and more directly involving pharmacy staff. The hospital improved patient safety by recognizing more errors on the lists. -
Study: More Than Half of DNR ED Patients Resuscitated Against Their Wishes
Of 419 cardiac arrest patients, 65 were DNR status. Of this group of DNR patients, 38 were resuscitated against their wishes. Not adhering to a patient’s wishes not only violates their autonomy, but it is arguably not acting in the patient’s best interest — and may in fact be causing them harm.
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Hybrid ED/ICU Setting Cuts Critical Care Admission Rates
For patients and families, a combination ED-ICU means avoiding costly ICU admissions that do not align with care goals. For health systems, it means alleviating ICU capacity strain. -
EDs Boost COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts
Some emergency providers may view COVID-19 vaccinations as another task piled on an already-full plate. However, EDs are uniquely positioned to reach many underserved and high-risk populations that have yet to receive protection from COVID-19. -
CDC Report Highlights Ongoing Youth Mental Health Struggles
Agency notes rising number of related emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts between early 2019 and early 2021. -
Poor Agreement Between ED Patients and Physicians on Goals of Care
Ideally, goals of care discussions do not happen for the first time when the patient presents to the ED. When goals of care conversations are held earlier in a patient’s disease course, advance care planning is possible. This can alleviate the use of aggressive interventions in the event the patient decompensates or does not make a meaningful recovery.
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Novel Program Decreases Transport to ED for Hospice Patients
Ventura County, CA, paramedics underwent 30 hours of training on crisis counseling, grief, and palliative care. When EMS responded to a 911 call and determined a patient was in hospice, they contacted trained staff. During a three-year study period, the percentage of hospice patients transported to the ED was 36% in the first year, 33% in the second year, and 24% in the third year. This was compared to 80% of hospice patients transported, on average, during the six months before project implementation.
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Many Patients Worry About Hospital Bill During ED Visit
To prevent EMTALA problems, train staff well, giving them carefully drafted scripts to use for patients who insist on discussing insurance coverage before a medical screening exam.
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Copay Collection Cannot Delay Care, or Hospital Risks EMTALA Violation
Registrars should bring up payment or insurance only after a medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment has been provided. This means a patient should not be asked about copays or payment during the exam or while undergoing treatment.