Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Emergency Medicine for May 2015. 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.
AMA: Physicians Driving the Slowing of Health Care Costs
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Low physician spending is contributing to an overall slowing of health care costs, according to a viewpoint piece published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Catheterization Increasing for Seniors With STEMI
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — From 1999 to 2009 there was a decrease in the proportion of older adults with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) who did not undergo cardiac catheterization, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Weight-Based Enoxoparin Dosing Best for Obese After C-Section
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Weight-based dosing of enoxaparin is more effective than body mass index (BMI)-based dosing for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis among morbidly obese women after cesarean delivery, according to a study published in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Score IDs Patients With Upper Extremity DVT at Low Risk
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), six easily available factors can be used to create a score that identifies those at low risk of adverse events during the first week, according to a study published online May 18 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Many Incidental Findings From CT Angiography for Suspected PE
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography is superior to chest radiography for providing a diagnosis, even when no PE is present; however, in patients at low risk, the clinical benefit is questionable, according to a study published in the May issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Caution Urged When Using EHR Shortcut Features
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Caution should be exercised with use of electronic health record (EHR) documentation short cuts, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
CDC: U.S. Traveler Returning From Liberia Dies of Lassa Fever
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A man who returned to the United States after traveling to Liberia in West Africa has died of Lassa fever, federal health officials have reported.
CDC: Raw Tuna Suspected As Salmonella Source in Outbreak
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Raw tuna is suspected as the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has infected 53 people in nine states, according to U.S. health officials.
Sexual Assault at ‘Epidemic Levels’ Among College Women
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Almost one out of every five young women were raped or experienced attempted rape during their freshman year at a large private university in upstate New York, a new study reports. The findings were published in the June issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.
AMA: Avoiding Distress in Medical School
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Understanding the key drivers underlying medical students’ distress can help address the issues and enhance student well-being, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
CDC Warns Against ‘Dangerous Breath Holding’ in Water
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — U.S. health officials are warning about accidental drownings from underwater breath-holding games and exercises.
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Motorcycle Deaths Down in U.S. for Second Straight Year
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Motorcyclist deaths in the United States dropped for the second straight year in 2014, but they are still higher than they were a decade ago, according to a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
Proper Analysis Over Intuition for Avoiding Improper Antibiotic Use
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Misdiagnosis often leads to improper antibiotic use in hospitals, according to a study published online May 18 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Shift Work Tied to Poor Health Indicators, Metabolic Syndrome
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Shift work may be hazardous to metabolic health, according to research published online May 17 in Sleep Health, the journal of the National Sleep Foundation.
Admission Not Necessary for Many ER Patients With Chest Pain
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adverse cardiac events are rare among adult patients presenting with chest pain with two negative findings for serial biomarkers, nonconcerning vital signs, and nonischemic electrocardiographic findings, according to research published online May 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
FDA: Watch for Ketoacidosis With SGLT2 Inhibitors
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about the risk of ketoacidosis with use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
Tips Provided for Doctors Who Want to Move to Private Practice
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For physicians who want to transition to private practice, several factors need consideration, including finances, legal matters, and insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
CDC: Untreated Swimming Water Can Foster Norovirus
FRIDAY, May 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that was traced back to an Oregon lake has led U.S. health officials to issue guidelines on swimming hygiene.
Study Considers Antibiotics-First Approach to Appendicitis
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An antibiotics-first approach could be considered for specific patients with appendicitis, according to a case vignette published in the May 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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CDC: Some Progress Seen in Foodborne Illness
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of reported infections with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 and a common strain of Salmonella bacteria have decreased, while infections with other types of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Vibrio have increased, according to research published in the May 15 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Tramadol-Related ER Visits Up 2005 to 2011
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There was a sharp rise in the number of emergency department visits involving tramadol between 2005 and 2011, two new government reports show.
Case Report: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For pregnant women with intractable nausea relieved by frequent bathing, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome should be considered, according to a case report scheduled to be published in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Infective Endocarditis Incidence Up in U.S. From 2000 to 2011
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — From 2000 to 2011 there was an increase in infective endocarditis (IE) incidence in the United States, according to a study published in the May 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Pregnancy Not Linked to Higher Mortality in Surgery
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Pregnancy does not raise a woman’s risk for death or complications after undergoing general surgery, according to research published online May 13 in JAMA Surgery.
Small Bowel Volvulus Should Be Considered in Surgical Evaluation
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Among U.S. adults, small bowel volvulus cases account for 1 percent of hospitalizations for bowel obstruction, according to research published online April 29 in the American Journal of Surgery.
Positive + Negative Treatment Recs Cut Antibiotic Rx
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For children with viral acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI), combined use of positive and negative treatment recommendations is associated with reduced risk of antibiotic prescribing, according to a study published in the May/June issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
New Health Care Index Reports Increases in Consumer Costs
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new Health Care Index shows increases in consumer costs, according to a report published by U.S. News & World Report.
Guidance Offered to Help Doctors Deal With ‘Dr. Google’
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Good communication is the key to resolving conflicts between the tests and treatment a patient may want based on online searches and those a physician believes are necessary, according to an article published online in Medical Economics.
Codeine Rx for New Mothers Trending Down
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer new mothers have been prescribed codeine since public health officials warned about a rare, but potential risk of overdose for breastfeeding babies, according to study results reported in the May 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Nondisclosure Clauses Often Used in Malpractice Settlements
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nondisclosure clauses are frequently used in malpractice settlement agreements, according to research published online May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
AMA: Six Traits of Financially Prepared Female Physicians
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The traits of a financially prepared female physician include having a retirement portfolio that is on track or ahead of schedule for age and career stage, having a liquid emergency fund, and feeling adequately protected in the event of a disability, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
FDA Approves Avelox for Treatment of Plague
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Avelox (moxifloxacin) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday to treat plague, a rare but deadly bacterial infection that can strike the lungs (pneumonic), blood (septicemic), or lymph nodes (bubonic).
Shortened Fasting Feasible for Children Undergoing Surgery
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of pulmonary aspiration is low in children undergoing elective surgery, even when allowed free clear fluids until called to the operating suite, according to research published online May 4 in Pediatric Anesthesia.
Ultrasound Accurate for Groin Hernia Diagnosis
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Ultrasound accurately diagnoses groin hernias, according to a study published online May 6 in the Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.
GEDI WISE Model Feasible for Geriatric Emergency Care
FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Geriatric Emergency Department Innovations in Care through Workforce, Informatics, and Structural Enhancements (GEDI WISE) model seems feasible for transforming geriatric emergency care, according to a study published in the May issue of Health Affairs.
Medical Students Want to Focus Learning on Preparing for Future
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical students report wanting to learn more about topics that are not currently being taught, including leadership training, health policy, health economics, and experiential learning, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Health Care Reform in Mass. Affects Survival in Trauma Patients
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of health care reform in Massachusetts did not seem to affect health insurance coverage for patients hospitalized following injury, but was associated with increased mortality rates, according to a study published online May 6 in JAMA Surgery.
ACA Tied to Nearly 17 Million Gaining Health Coverage
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nearly 17 million previously uninsured Americans now have health coverage, according to a 2013 to 2015 report from the Rand Corporation.
Strategies Provided for Maximizing Payment
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should use standard billing practices, including regular statements, to maximize accounts, and know that collection agencies and lawyers can help collect payment when necessary, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
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Five ‘Top Issues’ to Be Discussed at AMA Medical Student Forum
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Issues that will be at the forefront of the National Medical Student Meeting include vaccinations, health care economics, Medicaid expansion, medical education loans, and the nationwide opioid epidemic, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Concussion in Football Often Occurs During Practice
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Data on more than 20,000 young football players across the United States reveal that more than 57 percent of concussed high school and college players were injured at practice, not games. Among youth football players, almost half of concussions were sustained during practice. These findings were published online May 4 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes Vary by Time to CPR
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), outcomes differ by time to first cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first documented rhythm, according to a study published online April 30 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Internal Medicine
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, acute bronchitis, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for hypertension screening, and guidelines relevant to generalist practice are included in a special update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Fewer Drunk Driving Events Tied to Boost in U.S. Economy
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A dramatic drop in the number of alcohol-related car accidents over the past three decades may have helped fuel the U.S. economy, a new study suggests. The findings were published online April 29 in Injury Prevention.
CDC: Colorado Dog Key to U.S. Pneumonic Plague Outbreak
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A Colorado dog last year caused the largest outbreak of pneumonic plague — also called the Black Death — in the United States since 1924, scientists reported Thursday.
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Nitrofurantoin Not Best Choice for UTIs in Older Women
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nitrofurantoin may not be the most effective option for treatment of urinary tract infections in older women, according to a new study published online April 27 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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