ED Management – March 1, 2022
March 1, 2022
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A More Effective Approach for Managing Behavioral Health Emergencies
Often, law enforcement officers and EMS crews are dispatched to the scenes of behavioral health emergencies. EMS might transport these patients to the ED. Others might be taken to jail. But in recent years, stakeholders in Dallas have looked closer at these scenarios. At a time when resources are stretched thin, hospital staff, police officers, and communities all are asking questions.
Palliative Care Guidelines Call for Equipping Frontline Providers to Meet Growing Need
As the U.S. population ages, there is a growing need for clinicians skilled in primary palliative care. Such skills include the ability to assess for need, engage in advance care planning discussions, and provide appropriate care for symptom management that aligns with patients’ wishes. Considering the volume of patients who access care through EDs annually, experts note emergency clinicians often are in position to provide primary palliative care to those with serious or life-threatening conditions.
Researchers to Test Groundbreaking Treatment for Intracerebral Hemorrhage-Type Strokes
Clot-busting drugs can be used to treat patients with ischemic strokes, but there are no good pharmacological alternatives for patients with intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH). This is a concerning treatment gap because ICH-type stroke outcomes can be dire. The creators of a new trial are testing whether a drug already used in other applications can offer benefits to patients with ICH strokes.
Dangerously Understaffed EDs Can Legally Expose Hospital
If litigation occurs, providers are better served by testifying honestly about staffing levels and the ED’s capacity while avoiding opinions on how these factors affected their ability to provide adequate care.
Many Patients Worried Health Plan Will Not Cover ED Visit
Patients, not staff, should initiate discussions regarding payment for services. Train staff to carefully document discussions with patients regarding billing or payment questions. Ensure staff members understand patients are never implicitly discouraged from seeking emergency care in the ED.
Uncertainty Over Health Plan Coverage Affects EDs
Patients are right to worry about out-of-pocket costs or whether their health plan will cover the visit. An expert explains more about what this means for EDs and about the current state of reimbursement for ED visits.
EDs See More High-Risk Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices
To reduce risks for patients with ventricular assist devices, providers should learn how they work, what complications need to be evaluated, and how to do so. Ensure systems are put in place for providers to care for these patients in an expeditious and effective way.
Abnormal Vitals Linked to Unanticipated Death After ED Discharge
Repeating vital signs before discharge is key to averting disaster.
Family Violence Implicated in Injury-Related ED Visits
ED-based efforts to screen and intervene can be critical to preventing future violence. This is important not only for family and peer violence, but also for contributory factors — mainly, access to alcohol, drugs, and weapons. In addition to obtaining thorough patient and family interviews, using standardized instruments to screen for these factors can help identify youth at risk, and link them to appropriate interventions and care.
Missed STEMI Time Frames Will Complicate ED Malpractice Defense
Recently updated guidelines drive home the urgency of early ECG testing and rapid treatment.