All articles tagged with #emergency medicine
Originally Published 13 days ago — by CBS News
A Pittsburgh-based medical professional praises the TV show 'The Pitt' for its realistic portrayal of hospital life, including medical procedures and the emotional challenges faced by healthcare workers, highlighting the importance of support and debriefing in high-stress environments.
Originally Published 1 month ago — by BuzzFeed
The article shares 27 astonishing stories of people surviving extreme medical incidents, from gunshot wounds and falls to miraculous recoveries from life-threatening conditions, highlighting the resilience of the human body and the skill of medical professionals.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Gizmodo
Researchers highlight the rising costs of e-scooter injuries, with Irish hospitals spending over $150,000 annually on such cases, mainly involving musculoskeletal injuries and head traumas, emphasizing the need for stricter safety regulations and helmet laws to reduce injuries and healthcare burden.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by Star Tribune
Emergency Physicians P.A. is expanding its urgent care model in the Twin Cities by opening a new clinic in Golden Valley, offering advanced diagnostics and ER-level staffing to treat complex cases outside of hospitals, aiming to reduce ER crowding and improve patient care.
Originally Published 6 months ago — by HuffPost
Emergency physicians highlight five critical types of pain—sudden, persistent pain; chest pain; calf pain with redness; tearing upper back pain; and certain lower abdominal pains—that should prompt immediate medical evaluation due to their potential severity. While all pain warrants attention, these specific symptoms are especially concerning and may indicate serious conditions like heart attacks, blood clots, or vascular issues. Seeking prompt medical care is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment, even if the pain turns out to be benign.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Washington Post
Improving access to blood for emergency medical services (EMS) in the field could potentially save up to 10,000 lives annually, according to surgeons at an American College of Surgeons conference. They highlighted the importance of rapid blood availability in enhancing survival rates during emergencies.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Times of India
A recent study highlights that taking 325mg of aspirin within four hours of severe chest pain can significantly reduce heart attack deaths. Doctors recommend immediate aspirin intake for symptoms like intense chest pain, sweating, and dizziness, but caution against its use for those with allergies or certain medical conditions. While aspirin can thin blood and prevent clot formation, it should not be taken long-term without medical advice due to bleeding risks.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by FOX 5 San Diego
Dr. Charles Hamori, a San Diego primary care physician, shares his personal experience of suffering a stroke during a tennis match and emphasizes the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms. He highlights the role of stroke carts, which enable remote consultation and immediate intervention, in saving lives. Hamori advocates for greater awareness of stroke symptoms such as slurred speech, facial drooping, arm weakness, or dizziness.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by First10EM
A prospective multi-institutional trial validated the Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) for traumatic brain injury patients, finding that low-risk patients classified by BIG did not require neurosurgical intervention, potentially reducing resource utilization. However, the study's data has limitations, including missing information and loss to follow-up, and lacks statistical analysis, suggesting caution in complete guideline implementation. The study highlights the need for further research and consideration of selection bias and generalizability in applying the guidelines to diverse clinical settings.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Ars Technica
A 14-year-old boy in California accidentally swallowed a quarter, which ended up getting lodged in his airway, causing hoarseness and difficulty swallowing. Doctors had to use long, optical forceps guided by a camera to remove the coin from its dangerous resting place in the subglottis. The boy's symptoms improved after the retrieval, and he was discharged home with ulcerations on his airway from the coin's ribbed edge.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times
A new life-saving approach called ECPR, which involves connecting patients in cardiac arrest to an ECMO machine to take over the work of their heart and lungs, has shown a nearly 100 percent chance of revival with intact brain function if administered within 30 minutes of collapse. Even after 40 minutes, there is still a 50 percent chance of revival. This high-tech treatment allows the body to rest while doctors address the underlying problem, if fixable, and timing is crucial for its success.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times
The article discusses the emergence of a high-tech approach called ECPR, which has the potential to restart more hearts and save more lives during cardiac arrests. It follows the story of a man who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and the efforts of emergency responders to save him using CPR. Despite initial skepticism about the chances of survival, the article highlights the potential of ECPR and raises questions about why more hospitals are not embracing this innovative approach.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by First10EM
A recent randomized controlled trial compared high dose intravenous nitroglycerin to low dose for treating sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE) and found that high dose nitroglycerin resulted in significantly improved outcomes, with 65% of patients experiencing symptom resolution at 6 hours compared to 12% in the low dose group. The study, although small and single-center, suggests that higher doses of nitroglycerin may be more effective in managing SCAPE, potentially prompting a change in practice while awaiting larger studies.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by First10EM
The NINJA trial, a multicenter study, investigated the effectiveness of replacing the fingernail after nail bed repair in children. The study found no significant difference in surgical site infections or cosmetic outcomes between replacing the nail and discarding it after repair. The results suggest that there is no benefit in replacing the nail after nail bed repair, but the study does not address the broader question of whether nail bed injuries require any intervention at all. The author advocates for conservative management of most nail bed injuries and highlights the potential bias in the study's inclusion criteria.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ABC News
As measles cases resurge in the U.S., a new generation of doctors is being taught to recognize the disease, which many have never encountered due to its previous eradication. With vaccination rates lagging, hospitals are developing response plans and educating healthcare staff to ensure early detection and appropriate precautions. Emergency physicians are being reminded to consider measles as a possible diagnosis when children present with fever and rash, as the disease can lead to serious complications, especially in young children.