Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Emergency Medicine for December 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Many EDs Do Not Have Pediatric Area, Emergency Care Coordinator
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many emergency departments do not have a pediatric area or pediatric emergency care coordinator (PECC), but an intervention can increase use of PECCs, according to three studies published in the December issue of Academic Emergency Medicine.
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More Than Two-Thirds of Drug OD Deaths in 2017 Involved Opioids
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than two-thirds of drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid, with increases in overdose deaths from all opioids and synthetic opioids seen from 2016 to 2017, according to research published in the Dec. 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.
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Opioid Prescribing Patterns Vary for Pediatric Patients
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in opioid prescribing among pediatric patients, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Updated Guidelines Developed for Diagnosing, Treating Influenza
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Infectious Diseases Society of America has updated their recommendations for the care of patients with suspected or diagnosed influenza; the clinical practice guidelines were published online Dec. 19 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Initiative Can Cut Gender Gap in Medical School Faculty Salaries
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An institutional gender equity initiative (GEI) can reduce gender-based salary gaps among medical school faculty, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis Up 2007 to 2017
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2017 there was an increase in drug-use associated infective endocarditis (DUA-IE) hospitalizations and valve surgeries, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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EMS Treatment for Possible Heart Attack Varies by Sex
MONDAY, Dec. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Disparities exist in the emergency medical services (EMS) treatment of women and men with chest pain (CP) or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Women’s Health Issues.
FDA: Fluoroquinolones Tied to Heart Vessel Ruptures, Tears
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients taking fluoroquinolones may be at higher risk for ruptures or tears in the aorta, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
FDA: Teething Jewelry Linked to at Least One Infant Death
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Teething jewelry products, such as necklaces, pose significant safety risks and have been tied to at least one baby’s death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
Evidence on ED Diversion Strategies Inconclusive
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is insufficient evidence to recommend the implementation of diversion protocols as effective strategies to address emergency department overcrowding, according to a review published online Nov. 27 in the Emergency Medicine Journal.
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Incident Concussion 5.1 Percent Per Season for Youth Football
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The athlete-level incidence of concussion is 5.1 percent per season for American football players aged 5 to 14 years, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Higher Than Expected
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite numerous difficulties, early figures show that sign-ups for health coverage next year under the Affordable Care Act are higher than expected.
FDA Advisory Panels: Prescribe Naloxone With Opioid Painkillers
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The labels of prescription opioid painkillers should advise doctors to consider simultaneously prescribing the opioid overdose antidote naloxone, two U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panels recommend.
Hospitalizations Up for Homeless From 2007 to 2013
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2013, hospitalizations among homeless individuals increased and were most frequently for mental illness and substance use disorder, according to a study published in the January issue of Medical Care.
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Exclusion of Doctors From Public Health Insurance Up 2007 to 2017
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2017, the number of physicians excluded from Medicare and state public insurance programs increased, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
Fall Risk Factors Vary by Gender in Older Adults
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Older men and women have different fall risk profiles, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Follow-Up Within Seven Days of Heart Failure Discharge Beneficial
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with heart failure, follow-up care within seven days of discharge from the emergency department is associated with lower rates of long-term mortality and subsequent admissions, according to a study published in the Dec. 17 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Risk for Later Suicide Up for Certain Youth Presenting to ED
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The risk for subsequent self-directed violence is increased among young people presenting to the emergency department for certain medical conditions, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Emotional Stress of Holidays Can Trigger Heart Attacks
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The highest risk for myocardial infarction occurs around 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in The BMJ.
Persistent Discrimination ID’d Among Physician Mothers
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physician mothers experience discrimination in a range of ways, which can impact the medical profession, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in The BMJ.
CDC: More Cases in Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Beef
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of illnesses in a Salmonella outbreak linked to beef products from Arizona-based JBS Tolleson Inc. now stands at 333 in 28 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Influenza Hospitalization More Likely in Underweight, Obese
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adults with influenza are more likely to be hospitalized if they are obese or underweight than if they are normal weight, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.
Medication Errors Resulting in Death Most Common in Elderly
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medication errors in acute care that result in death occur most often in patients older than 75 years, with the most common error category being omitted medicine or ingredient, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.
FDA: Some E-Cigarette Liquids Contain Erectile Dysfunction Meds
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Consumers should not use two electronic cigarette liquids that contain erectile dysfunction drugs because they may pose health risks, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Enrollment Under the Affordable Care Act Down From Last Year
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is down with just days left to sign up, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CDC Identifies Drugs Frequently Involved in Drug Overdose Deaths
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The drugs most commonly involved in drug overdose deaths during 2011 to 2016 include fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and cocaine, according to the Dec. 12 issue of the National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2017 Saw Slowing in National Health Care Spending
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National health care spending slowed in 2017, according to a report published online Dec. 6 in Health Affairs.
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Considerable Morbidity, Mortality Due to Animal Encounters
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Morbidity, mortality, and health care costs due to animal encounters are considerable in the United States, according to a study published in the January issue of Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open.
Greater Patient Delays for Women With STEMI Than Men
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Because of greater patient delays from symptom onset to first medical contact, female patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) experience greater total ischemic time than male patients, according to a study recently published in the European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care.
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Paid Childbearing Policies Lacking for Residents
TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Policies for paid childbearing or family leave for residents are lacking at top-ranking medical schools and may be exacerbated by lack of direction from specialty boards, according to two research letters published in the Dec. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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U.S. Medical Schools See Increase in Diversity
TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After implementation of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) diversity accreditation standards, U.S. medical schools saw increasing percentages of female, black, and Hispanic matriculants, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Case Numbers of U.S. Children With Polio-Like Illness Hit Record High
TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There has been a record number of cases of a rare paralyzing illness among children in the United States this year, according to health officials.
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Veterans Health Administration Hospitals Outperform Non-VHAs
MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals outperform non-VHA hospitals for 14 of 15 outcome measures in 121 regions, according to a research letter published online Dec. 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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HIT-Related Stress Linked to Burnout Among Physicians
MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Stress related to use of health information technology (HIT) is common and predictive of burnout among physicians, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
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EMS Times Longer for Patients From Poorest Neighborhoods
MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients with cardiac arrest from the poorest neighborhoods have longer emergency medical service (EMS) times, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Network Open.
FDA Warns of Rare Stroke Risk With Multiple Sclerosis Drug
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new warning has been added to the multiple sclerosis drug Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) after rare reports of patients suffering strokes and tears in the lining of the arteries in the head and neck, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
Few Physicians Work in Practices That Use Telemedicine
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Only 15.4 percent of physicians work in practices that use telemedicine for a wide spectrum of patient interactions, with larger practice size being an important correlate of telemedicine use, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
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Machine Learning Models May Predict Emergency Admissions
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Machine learning models incorporated into electronic health records (EHRs) may predict the risk for emergency hospital admissions, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in PLOS Medicine.
HHS Issues Draft Strategy for Reducing Health IT Burden
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a draft strategy to reduce the health information technology (IT) burden, and the strategy is open for public comment through Jan. 28, 2019.
Many Patients Withhold Information From Clinicians
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many patients intentionally withhold information from clinicians, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Network Open.
Younger Patients Account for Increasing Proportion of AMI
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The proportion of hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction attributable to young patients increased between 1995 and 2014, especially among women, according to a study published online Nov. 11 in Circulation.
Risk Scale Predicts Short-Term Serious Outcomes in COPD
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Ottawa chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Risk Scale (OCRS), which includes 10 criteria, has good sensitivity for short-term serious outcomes, according to a study published in the Dec. 3 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
CDC: Acute Flaccid Myelitis Cases Appear to Have Peaked for 2018
MONDAY, Dec. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in the United States this year appears to have peaked and is expected to decline for the remainder of 2018, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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