Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Emergency Medicine for April 2019. 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.
CDC: 704 Measles Cases Reported in U.S. Through April 26, 2019
TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A total of 704 cases of measles were reported in the United States from Jan. 1 to April 26, 2019, representing the largest number of cases since 1994, according to research published in the April 29 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Confidence in Inhaler Technique Poor Proxy for Correct Use
TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Child and parent confidence are poor proxies for proper inhaler use among African-American children with asthma, according to a study published online April 30 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
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Combo Nicotine Replacement Tx Ups Success in Quitting Smoking
TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — People who use combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are more likely to successfully quit smoking than people who use a single form of NRT, according to a review published online April 18 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Hundreds Quarantined for Measles at Two Los Angeles Universities
FRIDAY, April 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Quarantine orders have been issued to more than 200 students and employees at the University of California, Los Angeles, and California State-Los Angeles because they may have been exposed to measles.
The New York Times Article
UCLA Statement
CDC: First Confirmed ID of ‘Kissing Bug’ in Delaware
FRIDAY, April 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The first confirmed identification of the bloodsucking “kissing bug” in Delaware involves one that bit a girl on the face last summer, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Psychostimulant Use Pervasive in Young Adults’ Fatal Strokes
FRIDAY, April 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Psychostimulant use plays a substantial role in fatal strokes among young adults, according to a study published online April 2 in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.
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Peanut Oral Immunotherapy May Up Allergic Reaction Risk
FRIDAY, April 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Current peanut oral immunotherapy approaches are associated with increased risk and frequency of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, according to a review published online April 25 in The Lancet.
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Gender Differences Seen in Adverse Drug Reactions
FRIDAY, April 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) may be higher for women, even when accounting for gender differences in drug use, according to a study published online April 2 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
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FDA Announces New Steps to Reduce Risks Tied to Surgical Staplers
THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week announced three new efforts to protect patients from malfunctions, injuries, and deaths associated with the use of surgical staplers for internal use and implantable surgical staples.
CDC: Number of U.S. Measles Cases Reaches New High
THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of reported measles cases this year has reached 695, the highest number of reported cases since measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced yesterday.
U.S. Death Rate From Drug Poisoning Up for Teens, Young Adults
THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For adolescents and young adults, the death rate from drug poisoning increased from 2006 to 2015, according to a study published online April 24 in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
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Stroke Patients Infrequently Screened, Treated for Bone Loss
THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with recent stroke are rarely screened and treated for osteoporosis, according to a study published online April 25 in Stroke.
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Interdisciplinary Care Pathway Helps Manage Frail, Elderly Trauma Patients
THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An interdisciplinary care protocol for frail geriatric trauma patients significantly reduces the risk for delirium and 30-day readmission, according to a study published online April 5 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
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Emergency Medical Diseases Account for About Half of Mortality
THURSDAY, April 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Emergency medical diseases (EMDs) contribute to about half of mortality and two-fifths of the burden of diseases globally, according to a study recently published in BMJ Global Health.
New York City Measles Cases Increase to 390
WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of measles cases in New York City has risen to 390, the health department said Wednesday.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
More Information: CDC
CDC Provides Clarification of Opioid Prescribing Guideline
WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opioid prescribing recommendations should be consistent with the guideline’s intent, according to a perspective piece published online April 24 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Some Children With Asthma Miss Critical Step in Inhaler Use
WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many children with asthma, especially older children using a spacer with mouthpiece, miss a critical step in inhaler technique, according to a study published online April 8 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
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Los Angeles County Measles Outbreak Under Investigation
TUESDAY, April 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A measles outbreak is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Department of Health.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
More Information: CDC
Outcomes Worse for Cancer Patients Seen at Noncancer EDs
TUESDAY, April 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with cancer who are seeking cancer-related emergency medical care have worse outcomes when they are seen at alternative hospitals or those not associated with a cancer center, according to a study published in the April 23 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
CDC: United States Set to Break Measles Cases Record
MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Just a few months into the year, the United States is set to break an annual record for the number of measles cases.
More Information: CDC
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
FDA Approves First Generic Nasal Spray Against Opioid Overdose
FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The first generic naloxone nasal spray to treat opioid overdose has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
National Hand Hygiene Initiative Successful in Australia
FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) has successfully sustained improvement in hand hygiene compliance, according to a study recently published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases and presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, held from April 13 to 16 in Amsterdam.
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Loan Forgiveness, Educational Debt May Affect Practice Patterns
FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Increased educational debt appears to directly influence physician practice choice, according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
Sixty People Charged in Massive Opioid Painkiller Investigation
THURSDAY, April 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Fifty-three medical professionals, including 31 doctors, are among the 60 people charged by U.S. authorities for their alleged involvement in the illegal prescribing and distribution of opioid painkillers.
CDC: Raw Tuna Linked to Salmonella Outbreak in Seven States
WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A Salmonella outbreak linked to frozen, raw ground tuna from Jensen Tuna has sickened 13 people in seven states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The illnesses began between Jan. 8 and March 20 of this year. Two people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Abnormal Romberg Test Predicts Prolonged Concussion in Children
WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Abnormal performance on the Romberg test is independently associated with longer duration of symptoms among children and adolescents evaluated within 10 days after concussion, according to a study published online April 16 in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics.
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One in Three U.S. Adults Aged 35 to 44 May Have Drinking Problem
WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adults in their mid-30s to 40s are drinking too much too often, according to survey results released by the American Osteopathic Association.
iADL Dependency May Up Mortality in Hematologic Cancers
WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For older adults with hematologic malignancies, instrumental activities of daily living (iADL) dependency is associated with increased mortality and acute care utilization, according to a study published online April 4 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Standardizing Demographics Ups Accuracy of Patient Matching
MONDAY, April 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Standardizing demographic data can improve the accuracy of patient matching, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
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CDC: 555 Confirmed Measles Cases in U.S. Since Jan. 1
MONDAY, April 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 555 confirmed cases of measles reported in 20 states between Jan. 1 and April 11 this year represent the second highest number of measles cases reported in the United States since measles was eliminated in the nation in 2000, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Foreign Body Ingestions Increasingly Common in Young Children
FRIDAY, April 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Foreign-body ingestions (FBIs) are common in children aged younger than 6 years and have increased over time, according to a study published online April 12 in Pediatrics.
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Prevalence of Extragenital STDs High in Men Who Have Sex With Men
FRIDAY, April 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Extragenital (rectal and pharyngeal) chlamydia and gonorrhea are prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM), according to research published in the April 12 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Domestic Responsibilities Tied to Physician Mothers’ Satisfaction
THURSDAY, April 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For physician mothers in procedural specialties, being responsible for five or more domestic tasks is associated with an increased likelihood of career dissatisfaction, according to a study published online April 10 in JAMA Surgery.
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CDC: Still No Source As E. Coli Outbreak Grows to 96 Cases
WEDNESDAY, April 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — U.S. health officials say an outbreak of Escherichia coli illness from an unknown source has risen to 96 cases across five Eastern states, up from the 72 cases reported last Friday.
FDA Warns of Consumer Devices That Claim to Diagnose Concussion
WEDNESDAY, April 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Consumer devices that claim to help assess, diagnose, or manage concussion and other head injuries are unproven and illegal, and using them could pose serious health risks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
CDC: Measles Cases Reach 465 This Year in the United States
TUESDAY, April 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of reported measles cases in the United States hit 465 as of April 4, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday. That is 78 more than in the previous week’s update, CNN reported.
CNN Article
The New York Times Article
More Information: CDC
Suicide-Related ED Visits Increased in Children From 2007 to 2015
TUESDAY, April 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2015, the number of emergency department visits for suicide attempts (SA) and suicide ideation (SI) doubled among children, according to a research letter published online April 8 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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New, Revised Topics Released in ACR Appropriateness Criteria
TUESDAY, April 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The latest edition of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria has been released and includes 188 diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology topics, with 908 clinical variants covering more than 1,670 clinical scenarios.
Ten Infant Deaths Linked to Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleepers
MONDAY, April 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Ten infants are known to have died in the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play sleeper since 2015, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns.
Model Can Predict Sepsis Risk for Emergency Medical Admissions
MONDAY, April 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A computer-aided National Early Warning Score (cNEWS) model accurately predicts sepsis for emergency medical admissions, according to a study published online April 8 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Alcohol, Drug Misuse Tied to Long-Term Health Problems
MONDAY, April 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than one-third of U.S. adults in recovery for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use have health problems related to previous substance use, according to a study published online March 16 in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
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FDA: High Levels of Heavy Metals Found in Kratom Products
THURSDAY, April 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Dangerously high levels of heavy metals have been found in dozens of kratom products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.
CDC: Violence Against Seniors on Rise, Especially Among Men
THURSDAY, April 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There has been an increase in the rates of violence among older adults, especially among older men, according to research published in the April 5 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
FDA Issues Warning on E-Cigarette Liquids Resembling Cough Syrup
THURSDAY, April 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Warning letters have been sent to two companies that make and sell electronic cigarette liquids that look like prescription cough syrups, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.
State Texting-While-Driving Bans Cut Crash-Related ED Visits
THURSDAY, April 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — States that have implemented a texting ban see significantly fewer motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related emergency department visits, according to a study published online March 21 in the American Journal of Public Health.
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FDA Reports Cases of Seizures Among Young Vapers
WEDNESDAY, April 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned on Tuesday that there have been reports of teens experiencing seizures following the use of electronic cigarettes.
Many ICU Workers Contaminated With Drug-Resistant Bacteria
WEDNESDAY, April 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Improper removal of personal protective equipment (PPE) contaminates health care workers interacting with patients who are on contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), according to a study published online March 20 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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Americans Borrowed $88 Billion in Past Year to Pay for Health Care
TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — About one in eight Americans borrowed a total of $88 billion in the past year to pay for health care, a new West Health-Gallup survey shows.
CNN Article
West Health-Gallup Survey
U.S. Measles Cases Already Top Last Year’s Total
TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of measles cases in the United States so far this year has already surpassed the total for last year.
CBS News Article
More Information: CDC
Best Practices Developed for Diagnosing, Managing MINOCA
TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In an American Heart Association scientific statement published online March 27 in Circulation, best practices are presented for diagnostic evaluation and management of myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA).
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Over-the-Counter Meds Save Health Care System Money
TUESDAY, April 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — On average, each dollar spent on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines saves the U.S. health care system $7.20, totaling nearly $146 billion in annual savings, according to a report released March 18 by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA).
Discharge, Interhospital Transfer Varies With Insurance Status
MONDAY, April 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Uninsured patients and Medicaid beneficiaries with acute pulmonary diseases have higher odds of interhospital transfer, according to a study published online April 1 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Rates of CPR Before EMS Arrival Increased From 2000 to 2017
MONDAY, April 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The rates of compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CO-CPR) and standard CPR (S-CPR) before arrival of emergency medical services (EMS) have increased and are associated with improved survival over no CPR (NO-CPR), according to a study published online April 1 in Circulation.
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