Browse Emergency Medicine Topics Articles by Topic

Globally Connected and Universally at Risk: Mosquito-Borne Diseases in the 21st Century

Climate change has altered and expanded the geographical distribution for key vectors of travel-related and mosquito-borne illnesses, making some of these diseases endemic to areas where they were absent in the recent past. Therefore, it is imperative that emergency practitioners become familiar with travel-related and global illnesses, their geographical prevalence, current epidemiologic trends, clinical presentations, and emergency management.

Sickle Cell Disease in the Emergency Department

Sickle cell disease is a complex condition with diverse potential complications. In the emergency department setting, physicians should be aware of the life-threatening pathologies that can affect patients with sickle cell disease.

Hanging and Strangulation Injuries in Intimate Partner Violence

Strangulation and hanging injuries are underidentified by healthcare providers, often because of the lack of external physical signs of trauma. A systematic approach to clinical evaluation and treatment, using an interdisciplinary team, is important to ensure positive outcomes for this vulnerable patient population.

Taming of the Flu: A 2023 Update on What Is New

The 2023-2024 influenza season is already among us, and healthcare practitioners on the frontline must have current knowledge of prevention and treatment strategies, particularly in our nation’s emergency departments.

Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Recently the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) created a quality measure, just adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that suggests early ultrasound for patients presenting with new abdominal or back pain and hypotension who have not been screened for an abdominal aneurysm at age 55-65 years or older.

Racial, Ethnic Disparities in Restraint Use

Use restraints only when absolutely necessary, and in accordance with established protocols and regulations. Undergo training on appropriate restraint techniques. Ensure regular monitoring of restrained patients. Continuously reassess the need for restraints. Clearly document the rationale for restraint use.

Study Shows Effect of Pediatric Readiness on Racial, Ethnic Disparities Regarding Mortality

Researchers estimated that if the three quartiles of hospitals that are least pediatric ready raised their readiness levels, there would be a threefold reduction in the mortality disparity of medically ill patients.

Telestroke Facilitates Care for Rural Stroke Patients

In the year before the telestroke program was implemented, 11 of 15 eligible patients received thrombolytics in less than one hour, and there was a mean door-to-needle time of 61 minutes. After the telestroke program was implemented, 11 of 12 eligible patients received thrombolytics in less than one hour, with a mean door-to-needle time of just 38 minutes.

Emergency Care Providers Help Identify Candidates for Hospital-at-Home Program

Project planners intend to care for hundreds of patients per year in the hospital-at-home program, thereby offloading some of that capacity from inpatient hospitals.

Shorter Length of Stay if ED Workup Completed Before Surgical Consult

Researchers reported completion of workups, such as basic labs and imaging before consultation, resulted in patients spending less time in the ED. Average consultant-to-decision time was 2.5 hours for patients with complete workups vs. 4.9 hours for those with incomplete workups.