Emergency
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Providers Address Homelessness to Reduce ED, Hospital Use
Recognizing that chronically homeless patients typically present with multiple medical problems that lead to excessive ED and hospital use, hospitals are working with community partners to develop programs aimed at providing these patients with stable housing and the kind of supportive services that can better meet their needs.
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New Four-step Protocol Boosts Care, Outcomes for STEMI Patients
Investigators have developed a protocol that not only improves outcomes for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but also reduces gender disparities that have been observed in both the care and outcomes of patients who present with the condition. Researchers note that although the protocol is different than common practices in most U.S. hospitals, the results show that further improvements are possible in the care of STEMI patients.
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High-sensitivity Troponin Test Finally Available to U.S. Emergency Providers
Some emergency providers in the United States finally can access a high-sensitivity troponin assay that enables them to detect heart attacks and other cardiac problems faster than older troponin tests. While it can take several months to safely and effectively switch to the new test, the benefits to both patients and providers are considerable. Although evidence from Europe suggests the tests uncover more evidence of cardiac disease, follow-up is required.
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Chest Pain in Young Adults
Chest pain is one of the most common reasons that patients present to the emergency department. The underlying disease processes can range from benign to life-threatening. The purpose of this article is to discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and management of the common causes of chest pain that can present in a young adult.
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Routine Chest Radiographs After Ultrasound-guided Central Line Placement May Be Unnecessary
Catheter misplacement and pneumothorax after routine ultrasound-guided catheter placement are rare, and routine post-procedural chest radiographs may not be cost-effective.
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Real-time Tracking of Influenza-related ICU Use
Surrogate markers of influenza severity, specifically trends in ICU use, were collected and revealed differences from current influenza reporting.
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Management of Catheter-related Bloodstream Infections
Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) remain one of the more common nosocomial infections today, with an estimated 250,000 CRBSIs occurring in the United States annually, of which approximately 80,000 are associated with an ICU stay. The science behind current practices has reduced the CRBSI rate by 50% between 2008 and 2014. However, the rate of infection is far from zero, and rates remain significantly different between states, suggesting that there is room for improvement.
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Infectious Meningitis: A Focused Review
The effectiveness of the current vaccine schedule has led to a significant decline in the incidence of bacterial meningitis. Delays in recognition and antibiotic administration result in increased morbidity and mortality; therefore, clinicians must maintain a high degree of vigilance for the subtle findings of meningitis, particularly in infants. Current standards for selective imaging, diagnostic testing, and empiric antibiotics are discussed.
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Disappointing Stroke Outcome? Patient ‘Likely to Blame EP’
A look at several common issues concerning ED malpractice claims involving stroke patients.
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Hospitals Face Liability if Impaired EP Becomes Malpractice Defendant
Experts discuss some ways plaintiff’s attorneys keep the hospital in the litigation against the EP and offer tips for reducing risks.