Emergency Department Management & Law
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Developers Unveil Universal Screening Tool for Suicide Risk
Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death among adolescents, but many at risk remain unidentified. One solution is universal screening in the ED, a place nearly 20% of all U.S. adolescents visit annually. Investigators developed the Computerized Adaptive Screen for Suicidal Youth tool, which enables teens to undergo the screening on a tablet computer, with results immediately available.
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Multilayered Approach to 911 Calls Targets Social Needs, Cuts ED Visits
Many EDs fill up with patients without serious medical concerns, but social or mental health problems clinicians may not be well-equipped to address. Putting social workers and other resources on scene to address these needs can expedite an appropriate response. Another potential solution is to meet these patients where they are, eliminating the need for an ED visit altogether.
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Start Small, Employ Relevant Personnel to Manage Complex Social Problems
Every hospital relies on a problem-solving method for performance improvement. The key is putting the right people on an intervention.
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Address Social Determinants of Health with Multidisciplinary Team, Community Partnerships
An ED Social Medicine team tackles social issues that often sabotage positive health outcomes and prompt repeat ED visits. The team includes clinicians, social workers, mental healthcare providers, patient navigators, a pharmacist, and transitional care personnel.
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Palliative Care Integrated into Critical Care Settings, Including EDs
Although palliative care is integral to providing quality care, in the ED the focus tends to be on aggressive and life-saving measures. More education and training is needed to make ED providers more comfortable with integrating palliative care there.
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‘Blatant Wrongdoing’: Wrongful Prolongation of Life Cases Surge
An expert witness who has testified in multiple wrongful prolongation of life cases and has advised health systems on how to avoid these cases shares helpful advice in the Q&A.
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Hospitals Sued for Wrongful Prolongation of Life: Ethicists Offer Unique Expertise
The point of the litigation is it is a medical error to provide too much treatment, just as it is to provide too little treatment. If it is clear patients did not want it, then clinicians should not provide it.
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Analysis: Few EMTALA Violations for Vascular-Related Issues
The most frequent vascular-related violations specifically involved lack of vascular specialist availability. Developing specialist networks and maintaining adequate call coverage can help improve patient access to emergency services.
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Lawsuits May Allege Failure to Obtain Dermatology Consults
Shutting out dermatologists can leave a gap in specialty care. This might lead to other specialists consulting and managing conditions outside their scope, or they might transfer patients to a different, distant center.
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Emergency Medicine Trainees More Likely Sued Than Radiology Trainees
Expanding the frequency and improving the quality of communication between radiologists and emergency physicians about imaging studies is always a good practice to facilitate patient care and mitigate mutual risk.