The effect of a nursing strike on emergency department operational metrics.

Background: In July of 2017, after more than 15 months of negotiations, an academic teaching hospital in Boston failed to reach an agreement on the terms of contract renewal with its nursing union resulting in a strike. Replacement nurses were hired by the hospital to fulfill nursing duties for five days.

Objectives: This study aims to measure the effects of this nursing strike on the patients seen in the emergency department (ED) by examining operational metrics before and during the strike.

An example of medical device-based projection of clinical trial enrollment: Use of electrocardiographic data to identify candidates for a trial in acute coronary syndromes.

Background: To identify potential participants for clinical trials, electronic health records (EHRs) are searched at potential sites. As an alternative, we investigated using medical devices used for real-time diagnostic decisions for trial enrollment.

Methods: To project cohorts for a trial in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), we used electrocardiograph-based algorithms that identify ACS or ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that prompt clinicians to offer patients trial enrollment.

A comparison of resource utilization between emergency physicians and pediatric emergency physicians.

Objectives: Pediatric patients in the emergency department (ED) are typically seen either by general emergency physicians (EPs) or by pediatric emergency physicians (PEPs) who have completed either a fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine or both pediatric and emergency medicine residencies. This study evaluates admission rates, turnaround times, and test and medication utilization for EPs versus PEPs.

Methods: A retrospective chart analysis was conducted at an academic tertiary care hospital with a dedicated pediatric ED.