Emergency Department Management & Law
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Time Spent in ED Hallways Raises Risk of Developing Delirium
Researchers analyzed 25,162 patients, including 1,920 who met delirium criteria. Patients with delirium spent a greater percentage of time in the ED hallway than other patients and stayed in the ED longer. Patients developed delirium in the ED more often than patients on the inpatient units. Out of the 1,920 patients who developed delirium, 1,488 did so while in the ED.
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With ED Provider at Triage, Fewer Patients Leave Without Being Seen
Leaders are trying to find effective ways to prevent high-risk patients from waiting too long for critical treatment — or from simply walking out the door forever.
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Legal Exposure Regarding Recurrent Low-Risk Chest Pain
The most important actions an emergency physician can take are to gather a thorough medical history and correctly interpret the ECG.
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Updated Guidelines on Recurrent, Low-Risk Chest Pain Fill in Some Treatment Gaps
Eight specific recommendations can help emergency providers make good decisions for patients who have visited the ED and undergone a diagnostic workup that showed no evidence of coronary stenosis, only to return with similar complaints within 12 months.
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Mobile Stroke Units, Teleneurology Units Accelerate Time to Treatment
Investigators recently published evidence that appears to support the efficacy of mobile stroke units (MSU), specially equipped ambulances that essentially bring treatment to patients experiencing ischemic strokes. In a multicenter trial, researchers found patients treated on an MSU received clot-busting medication faster and demonstrated better health at 90 days than patients who were transferred to the hospital for treatment via traditional ambulance.
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Antibiotics for Appendicitis, Revisited
One year later, researchers present updated data that strengthen the alternative to surgery approach.
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Study: Interferon Does Not Help Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
When combined with remdesivir, the multiple sclerosis drug did not produce clinical benefit.
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U.S. Advocacy Groups Declare National Emergency on Children’s Mental Health
Health professionals call on policymakers to address regulatory, financial, and technological challenges.
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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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Police Transport More Patients with Mental Health Needs to ED
Annual rates of adults transported to EDs by law enforcement increased by almost 50% from 2009 to 2016, according to the authors of a recent study. Of the 136,240 patients brought to EDs by law enforcement during the study period, 43.1% had a mental health diagnosis; 22% of all visits were for involuntary commitments.