Triage in Pandemics: Managing High Patient Volumes

Pandemics challenge healthcare systems worldwide, pushing hospitals and emergency departments to their limits. Managing high patient volumes efficiently during these times can mean the difference between life and death. Triage, an essential healthcare process, plays a critical role in improving emergency care and managing patient flow effectively during pandemics. The Role of Triage in Pandemic …

Continue Reading

The Importance of Regular Check-Ups During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Pregnancy is an exciting and transformative time in a woman’s life, but it also presents unique medical challenges. Both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, regular check-ups are crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby. With complications often arising unexpectedly, it is essential that pregnant and postpartum …

Continue Reading

Effective Triage in Rheumatology Referrals

The increasing demand for specialized rheumatology care has put a strain on healthcare systems globally. Patients often face long wait times, which can lead to worsening conditions and delayed treatment. Implementing triage systems for rheumatology referrals is a transformative approach that ensures patients receive timely and appropriate care. Triage not only improves wait time benchmarks …

Continue Reading

The Vital Role of Emergency Triage

Many hospital deaths occur within the first 24 hours of admission. Prompt action can often prevent these tragedies, especially in the case of critically ill children. The concept of triage—the process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition—plays a crucial role in ensuring life-saving interventions are provided without delay. Why Emergency Triage …

Continue Reading
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Standard emergency care: What You Need to Know

When your heart stops beating and you stop breathing, emergency care begins with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This life-saving technique combines chest compressions, artificial respiration, and defibrillation to restart the heart. But what happens if CPR alone isn’t enough? Advanced interventions may be required to stabilize the situation and improve survival chances. When Basic Emergency CPR …

Continue Reading

Fear of Falling: Creating an Emergency Plan

Falls are a leading concern among adults aged 65 and older, with one in four experiencing a fall each year. Despite our best efforts to prevent them, accidents can happen. Being prepared with an emergency plan can make a crucial difference in managing the situation effectively. Here’s how to stay ready and informed. Why You …

Continue Reading

Heartburn or Heart Attack? Understanding the Symptoms and Risks

Chest pain can be alarming for heart attack. Is it a sign of heartburn or something more serious, like a heart attack? With over eight million emergency room visits for chest pain each year, differentiating between these conditions is crucial. Let’s explore the similarities, differences, and best practices for managing these health concerns. What Is …

Continue Reading

Understanding Elevated Troponin Levels: What You Should Know

As a 73-year-old man with heart disease and a history of coronary bypass surgery, your vigilance about your health is commendable. Experiencing chest pain is understandably concerning, especially when paired with elevated troponin levels. Let’s unpack what elevated troponin means, its implications, and how to manage it. What Are Troponins? Troponins are proteins critical for …

Continue Reading

Climate Change and Its Growing Impact on Health: What You Need to Know and Do

Climate change is already affecting the health of people worldwide. As emergency medicine physicians practicing , we are seeing climate change-driven health emergencies more often. From extreme weather events to temperature changes, the threats to public health are escalating. This article explores how climate change impacts health and provides tips on how to prepare. How …

Continue Reading

Understanding Chest Pain: When to Worry

Chest pain is a symptom most people associate with heart attacks. Movies often dramatize this with individuals clutching their chest and collapsing. In reality, chest pain has a wide range of causes, many of which are not related to the heart. In the United States, over 6.5 million emergency room visits and nearly four million …

Continue Reading

Understanding and Addressing Eating Disorders

The pandemic has left an undeniable mark on mental health, especially among children and teens. Emergency rooms across the country have seen a significant increase in visits related to mental health issues, with a concerning rise in eating disorders. This surge, particularly evident among adolescent girls, highlights the urgent need for awareness and timely intervention. …

Continue Reading

The Future of Triage and Patient Prioritization

In today’s high-pressure emergency departments (EDs), fast and accurate triage is essential. Traditional triage methods struggle as patient numbers rise. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming this process. AI enhances both efficiency and accuracy in patient care. AI is shaping the future of triage by streamlining decision-making. It enables faster, more precise assessments, improving patient outcomes. …

Continue Reading