Search Tag: Emergency
Electronic Wristbands Could Transmit Vital Data From Disaster Victims
2015 08 Feb
The coloured paper tags used to classify victims of mass casualty incidents may one day be replaced by plastic electronic wristbands capable of transmitting real-time data to emergency response control centres. The new tags are being developed by an international team of researchers at Fraunhofer-Institute fuer Angewandte Informationstechnik (FIT),... Read more
Blood Sugar Levels Can Predict Risk of Early Death
2015 09 Jan
According to new evidence, checking the blood sugar levels of people who arrive at hospital emergency departments with acute heart failure could play an important role in identifying patients who are at high risk of early death, further hospitalisations or the development of other health problems such as diabetes. The study has been published... Read more
Emergency Admissions to Hospital via A&E Up, via GPs Down
2014 11 Nov
According to analysis published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, the number of emergency admissions to hospital via A&E departments increased significantly in England from 2001/02 to 2010/11, while the number via GPs decreased. The analysis was conducted by researchers at Imperial College London and was funded by the National... Read more
Ventilators Differ in Their Characteristics, Performance
2014 27 Oct
Transportation of critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation requires clinical experience, an efficient device, and careful determination of gases and/or electrical resources. Emergency and transport ventilators (ETVs) should be technically accurate, and as autonomous as possible. ETVs have become increasingly sophisticated, offering... Read more
Two Studies Examine ED Timeliness
2014 15 Sep
Two studies which examined timeliness and lengths of stay in emergency departments (ED) found potential for improvement. Furthermore, variability across EDs was found to depend on factors such as hospital size, urban vs. rural location, ownership and teaching status, as well as rates of inpatient admissions. ED Timeliness A study conducted... Read more
Post-ED Care Impacts Admission Rates
2014 11 Aug
Hospital admission rates for patients with heart failure (HF) presenting for emergency department (ED) care vary, and the implications of direct discharge home from the ED are unknown. There is a substantial economic burden of HF admissions and a focus on readmissions as a quality of care measure. However, there is little appreciation of the pitfalls... Read more
Boston Marathon Bombings: Emergency Radiology Response Assessment
2014 15 Jul
A review of the Brigham and Women's Hospital emergency radiology response to the Boston Marathon bombings in April 2013 underscores the vital role medical imaging plays in emergency situations. At the same time, the new study focuses on how radiology departments can improve their preparedness for mass casualty events. As a Level 1 trauma centre,... Read more
'Text Message Medicine' Fights Binge Drinking
2014 15 Jul
According to a study published online in 'Annals of Emergency Medicine', mobile phone text messages could be used as a means to help young adults reduce their dependence on alcohol. Researchers noted a significant reduction (over 50 percent) in alcohol use after young adult binge drinkers received cell phone texts following a visit to the emergency... Read more
Specialised Ambulance Speeds Earlier Treatment for Stroke Patients
2014 28 Apr
An ambulance designed specifically for stroke treatment improved the treatment time for ischaemic strokes, thanks to specialised onboard equipment and staffing. These are the findings of a German study published in JAMA’s neurology-themed April 23/30 issue. Stroke leads to disability or death for thousands of people each... Read more
American Heart Association Launches Online Pediatric First Aid & CPR Course
2014 17 Apr
New course teaches child care providers and parents vital life-saving skills For parents and child care providers, the statistics about accidental injuries of children up to age 19 are daunting. More than 12,000 children die from accidental injuries each year, and more than 9.2 million are treated in the ER for nonfatal injuries, according to... Read more