Emergency Medicine General
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Healthcare Leaders Identify Steps to Maximize Response to Mass Shooting Events
As mass shooting events continue, healthcare leaders are focused on how the medical response is effective and expeditious. Frontline providers who have experienced such events have first-hand knowledge about where the weak links are and can offer unique insight on how organizations can work within their regions to be better prepared.
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Health Systems Start Transition to New Approach for Treating Ischemic Stroke
Alteplase has been a mainstay to treat ischemic stroke. When given within hours of an episode, evidence has shown the clot-busting medication can improve outcomes. But what if there was a drug that could deliver similar, and possibly even better, outcomes for a subset of stroke patients without some of the logistical hurdles associated with alteplase?
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Promote Safety Helmet Use Among Children
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages precautionary measures to prevent sports-related head injuries.
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Ethical Considerations for Trauma-Informed Care
Use the tenets of trauma-informed care by realizing the widespread effects of trauma; recognizing signs and symptoms; responding by including knowledge about trauma in policies, procedures, and practices; and avoiding retraumatization.
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Evaluation of Trauma in Older Adults
The healthcare system is treating more older adults with unique physiologic and anatomic considerations that must be taken into account in trauma resuscitation to maximize each patient’s outcome.
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EDs Need Process for Incidental Radiology Findings
To lower the risks of “failure to notify” claims, institute clear protocols on who is responsible for dealing with abnormal test results. Educate patients on how to find out about their test results; this includes obtaining updated contact information. Finally, use electronic alerts to notify patients and providers when tests results are ready.
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Med/Mal Concerns if ‘Float’ Nurses Cover the Department
Of 2,575 nurses from 50 states and Washington, DC, 26.5% reported they were “floated” or reassigned to a clinical care area that required new skills or that was outside their competency, according to a survey. Almost half reported receiving no education or preparation before they were assigned to the new unit.
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Work on Improving the Care of Children with Medical Complexity
Emergency physicians identified significant challenges in providing high-quality emergency care to these patients. These include time constraints, the need to adequately review the expansive medical record for key information, and the need to contact known physicians when making treatment and disposition decisions. Respondents indicated communication with known providers and use of emergency information forms summarizing the child’s medical history were helpful.
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New Details Emerge About Acute Flaccid Myelitis, Cases Could Surge This Year
Researchers uncovered evidence indicating enterovirus D68 directly infects neurons in the spinal cord, prompting an immune response that leads to the limb weakness that is characteristic of acute flaccid myelitis. Investigators shed important light on the disease process that takes place in children who develop this polio-like illness. This is progress that can help lead to better treatments.
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Legal Risks if Psychiatric History Clouds Medical Decision-Making
Patients with these life-threatening medical conditions may report mood swings, personality changes, irritability or aggression, depressed mood, anxiety, or trouble concentrating. If appropriate history, physical exam, and diagnostic testing are not completed, medical emergencies can be missed. This is particularly common if physical exam findings are subtle.