Emergency Department Environmental Responses to COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

This study aimed to document and empirically evaluate the physical environment strategies used by emergency departments (EDs) to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic; and to develop recommendations for managing future crises. Emergency departments made significant environmental modifications in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic but these modifications and the decision-making processes were seldomly studied. In this in-depth qualitative case study, a multidisciplinary research team conducted semistructured interviews with 11 professionals of various roles in environmental responses to the pandemic at a large urban ED in the U.

Gender-based Barriers to the Advancement of Women in Academic Emergency Medicine: A Multi-Institutional Survey Study.

Introduction: Leadership positions occupied by women within academic emergency medicine have remained stagnant despite increasing numbers of women with faculty appointments. We distributed a multi-institutional survey to women faculty and residents to evaluate categorical characteristics contributing to success and differences between the two groups.

Methods: An institutional review board-approved electronic survey was distributed to women faculty and residents at eight institutions and were completed anonymously.

Atrial fibrillation: an approach to diagnosis and management in the emergency department.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common dysrhythmia encountered in the emergency department. In patients aged >65 years, the incidence approaches 10%, and the number of patients with atrial fibrillation is expected to almost double in the next 30 years. Atrial fibrillation and its associated comorbidities also carry significant healthcare cost.

Can Emergency Medicine Residents Predict Cost of Diagnostic Testing?

Introduction: Diagnostic testing represents a significant portion of healthcare spending, and cost should be considered when ordering such tests. Needless and excessive spending may occur without an appreciation of the impact on the larger healthcare system. Knowledge regarding the cost of diagnostic testing among emergency medicine (EM) residents has not previously been studied.

Residency Applicant Preferences of Online Systems for Scheduling Interviews.

Background: Residency applicants often have difficulty coordinating interviews with multiple programs. An online scheduling system might improve this process.

Objective: The authors sought to determine applicant mean time to schedule interviews and satisfaction using online scheduling compared with manual scheduling.

Handoff Practices in Emergency Medicine: Are We Making Progress?

Objectives: Transitions of care present a risk for communication error and may adversely affect patient care. This study addresses the scope of current handoff practices amongst U.S.

A survey of handoff practices in emergency medicine.

This study aimed to assess practices in emergency department (ED) handoffs as perceived by emergency medicine (EM) residency program directors and other senior-level faculty and to determine if there are deficits in resident handoff training. This cross-sectional survey study was guided by the Kern model for medical curriculum development. A 12-member Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) Transitions in Care task force of EM physicians performed these steps and constructed a survey.

An algorithm for transition of care in the emergency department.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to present an algorithm for improving the safety and effectiveness of transitions of care (ToC) in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: This project was undertaken by the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) Transitions of Care Task Force and guided by the six-step Kern model for curriculum development. A targeted needs assessment in survey form was designed using a modified Delphi method among the CORD ToC Task Force.

Hypoglycemia after accidental pediatric sulfonylurea ingestions.

Background: Because the prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases annually, there has been an increase in pediatric exposures to sulfonylureas. These medications are associated with delayed and often prolonged hypoglycemia. As such, most authorities but not all recommend admission for all pediatric patients with an accidental sulfonylurea ingestion.