Medscape Emergency Medicine Headlines

Investigators Point to Unethical Reporting in Gabapentin Studies

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:47:46 EST

Internal company documents obtained during litigation suggest Pfizer influenced outcomes in published trials, report researchers.

Sen Grassley Questions Top Medical Schools About Ghostwriting

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:48:39 EST

As part of his mission to see more financial transparency in medicine, Sen Grassley has asked eight top US medical schools about their policies on ghostwriting.

Risk Stratification of the Potentially Septic Patient in the Emergency Department: The Mortality in the Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) Score

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Can a risk-stratification tool predict 1-month mortality in Emergency Department patients with suspected infection? Here is the case of a 67-year-old-woman.

House Passes Medicare SGR Fix

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:11:22 EST

The House passed a bill that would rewrite the controversial sustainable growth rate formula and eliminate a 21.2% Medicare pay cut for physicians scheduled for 2010.

EFFECT: Public Reporting of Hospital Performance Improves Quality of Care?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:33:49 EST

Publicly released report cards based on hospital performance did not result in a measurably greater systemwide improvement in two composite AMI or CHF process-of-care indicators in a Canadian study. But they did appear to stimulate some important changes in delivery of care that could have led to some better outcomes.

New Senate Healthcare Reform Bill Features Public Option With Opt-Out

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:03:45 EST

The Senate bill would cost $849 billion through 2019, but it would ultimately shave $127 billion off the federal deficit while reducing the number of uninsured by 31 million people.

CT-STAT: CT Angiography Rules Out CAD Faster and Cheaper Than Standard Care

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:18:42 EST

The use of coronary CT angiography in the emergency room can successfully triage at-risk chest-pain patients and can do so faster and less expensively than standard diagnostic testing.

The Legal Pitfalls in Prescribing Opioids

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:01:22 EST

Should you worry when prescribing opioids that the drugs might end up on the street? How can you protect yourself? Review the legal nuts and bolts of opioid prescribing.

Epinephrine Use Among EMS Providers Varies Widely By State

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:12:33 EST

Only two thirds of states require emergency medical services (EMS) providers to carry and use epinephrine, even though all 50 states allow some level of its use.

Part 2: The Case of the Emergency Room Physician Who Burned Out: Diagnosing and Treating His Substance Abuse

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:17:28 EST

In part 2 of the new series on the Impaired Physician, substance abuse develops in Dr. X. Is it now time to turn him in?

Women With SCA Less Likely Than Men to Have Structural Heart Disease

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:19:12 EST

In a study, women were significantly less likely than men to have a diagnosis of structural heart disease (left ventricular dysfunction or coronary artery disease) before sudden cardiac arrest.

Surgical Masks vs N95 Respirators: Research and Practice

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:36:50 EST

A well-designed study examines the efficacy of surgical masks in protecting healthcare workers against influenza. William R. Jarvis, MD, comments in this video blog.

Infection With Community-Onset Staphylococcus aureus and Influenza Virus in Hospitalized Children

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

The worst outcomes of influenza in children occur in those with bacterial coinfections. This research has implications for the current H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Part 1: The Case of the Emergency Department Physician Who Burned Out: Risk Factors, Impact, and Early Interventions

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:26:42 EST

In part 1 of the new series on The Impaired Physician, Dr. X shows signs of burnout that put his personal and professional life at risk. Would you turn him in?

Prehospital Intranasal Cooling After Cardiac Arrest Feasible, May Improve Survival

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:02:59 EST

Use of a device that allows therapeutic hypothermia to begin in the field has been shown to be safe and feasible in treating out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Medical Workers Balk at Mandatory Flu Vaccines

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:32:01 EST

Even as they are forced to wait like everyone else for swine flu vaccines in short supply, thousands of nurses and other front-line healthcare workers are fighting mandatory flu immunization policies being put in place by some U.S. hospitals.

H1N1 Flu Skepticism Demands Deft Response

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:32:01 EST

European scientists and health authorities are facing angry questions about why H1N1 flu has not caused death and destruction on the scale first feared, and they need to respond deftly to ensure public support.

Flu Infections Starting to Peak in Some Areas: WHO

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:32:01 EST

Flu infections may be peaking in some parts of the northern hemisphere, but are still spreading fast in others, the World Health Organization said on Friday.

Medical Device Correction Issued for Cardiac Science AEDs

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:21:03 EST

AEDs manufactured by Cardiac Science Corporation are undergoing a nationwide voluntary medical device correction because of the potential failure of these devices to deliver therapy during use.

Update on Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccines

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Preliminary data indicate that the immunogenicity and safety of the H1N1 vaccines are similar to those of seasonal influenza vaccines.