Emergency Medicine Commons^™

Improving Emergency Department Throughput: Implementation Of A Nurse-Driven Protocol In Pediatric Fast-Track Patients Presenting With Fever, Kerrigan A. Teeple

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Overcrowding in the emergency department presents significant operational challenges and is associated with adverse patient outcomes (Gottlieb et al., 2020). Despite throughput initiatives, increasing patient acuity and rising census levels continue to strain emergency department efficiency. This quality improvement project evaluated whether implementing a fever-reduction standing order protocol could reduce door-to-provider and door-to-disposition times for pediatric fast-track patients presenting to the emergency department. A review of evidence across 6 databases identified nurse-initiated standing orders as a best-practice strategy to expedite care, improve throughput, and reduce delays in disposition. Guided by this evidence, a standing order protocol for acetaminophen administration was …

Navigating The Nicu Without Words: A Case Study Of A Spanish-Speaking Mother’S Healthcare Experience, Emma Norris

Poster Presentations

Research on NICU experiences largely focuses on majority-language families; non-English-speaking families are understudied (Cleveland, 2008). The Family Integrated Care model promotes parent-infant connection and shared decision-making to improve outcomes (Wreesmann et al., 2020). Language barriers impede parent-provider communication, increasing miscommunication and parental anxiety (Kynoe et al., 2020; Ardal et al., 2011). The purpose of this research is to explore communication experiences and barriers between English-speaking and bilingual NICU nurses and a Spanish-speaking NICU mother.

Clinical Pathway For Rhogam Administration In The Emergency Department, Lauren Kyzar, Amy Bigham

Appalachian Student Healthcare Research Review

Background: Clinical pathways in emergency departments (ED) are designed to standardize patient care and reduce variability in clinical practice. In a rural hospital setting, the ED management of RhoGAM administration in pregnant patients with vaginal bleeding varied by provider with no standard of care achieved. This approach raised concerns about potential patient safety issues.

Methods: In response, the local emergency department medical director, in conjunction with local perinatal providers developed a clinical pathway to standardize care and optimize RhoGAM administration. The clinical pathway was implemented to the local ED providers over a three-month period. Retrospective chart review for Type and …

Co-Location Of Substance Use Disorder Treatment And Hospital Emergency Departments, Leila Hasan

Honors College Theses

Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) rely heavily on the hospital emergency department (ED) for acute care and are often discharged from the ED without access to long-term recovery resources. This project explores the impact of co-located addiction treatment programs with hospital EDs on recovery outcomes of patients with SUD. A systematic literature review conducted on relevant studies indicates that co-located programs can be effective in increasing treatment initiation and maintenance, reducing ED revisits, and reducing repeated overdose in SUD patients. Programs that were most effective included three key elements: fast linkage of SUD patients to program staff in the …

Understanding Delays In Emergency Department Care: A National Analysis Of Wait Times, Gregory Forsberg

Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science Honors Projects

Emergency department (ED) wait times remain a persistent bottleneck in the United States healthcare system, impacting patient outcomes, hospital efficiency, and equitable access to care. This study analyzes nationally representative data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), a complex, multi-stage probability sample. Using survey-weighted analyses and predictive modeling, we examine the effects of patient characteristics, triage acuity, and visit timing. Results indicate that operational and system-level factors, including hospital capacity, geographic region, and temporal variation, are among the most influential predictors of ED wait times

The First Cut Is The Deepest: Understanding Learner Trauma In The Emergency Medicine Clerkship, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Leela Raj, Karen E. Watkins, Xiao C. Zhang, Andres Fernandez, Md, Victoria J. Marsick

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: As third-year medical students transition into high-stakes, high-stress clinical environments like the emergency department (ED), they may experience significant personal trauma. However, little is known about how this trauma is experienced early in their training - specifically during the transition from preclinical to clinical learning environments. This study addresses that gap by exploring third-year medical students' experiences of trauma during the emergency medicine (EM) clerkship through the lens of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and identifies workplace factors and intersectional demographics influencing these experiences.

METHODS: This qualitative study used the critical incident technique to explore emotionally-significant events encountered by third-year medical …

Occupational Stressors And Health Impacts Among First Responders, Mason N. Roach

Honors College Theses

The United States 911 emergency response system is an interconnected web of public services that seeks to provide its community with care, resources, and safety in times of need. However, the impact of this support on the employees providing the service often goes unnoticed. This review identifies and analyzes the unique strains on first responders' physical and mental health using the Job Demand-Control Model and the Allostatic Load Model. A review of available research literature supports the conclusion that occupational-related stress, including trauma exposure, shift work, poor leadership, and inadequate communication, can have long-lasting negative impacts on provider health.

Contraception In The Ed: Understanding Education And Opportunities For Clinicians To Advise Patients, Hannah B. Lewis, Teagan R. Mccarthy, Dara Kass, Jennifer L. Kahoud

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Introduction: The United States faces a high rate of unwanted pregnancies. Despite this, many people continue to face barriers to accessing contraception. The emergency department (ED) can help bridge these gaps, but emergency clinicians must first feel comfortable offering contraceptive services. In this study, we sought to determine emergency clinician comfort in prescribing contraceptives and educating patients on their use. We also gauged clinician interest in receiving education specifically geared toward contraceptive care.

Methods: We conducted an online survey of ED residents, attendings, and advanced practice clinicians at Thomas Jefferson Univerity Hospital and affiliates in both the urban and suburban …

Emergency Care Outside Of The Four Walls Of The Emergency Department, Judd E. Hollander

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract available

Health Disparities For Pneumonia And Sinusitis Antibiotic Treatment In The Emergency Department, Joshua Saucedo, Leslie Hueschen, Amanda Nedved, Rana El Feghaly Md

Posters

Optimal antibiotic selection and duration are pillars of antimicrobial stewardship efforts. In our emergency department (ED), >80% of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) are treated with first-line (FL) guideline-concordant antibiotics. Differences in care based on socioeconomic factors (race, ethnicity, language, and insurance status) have not been characterized. We sought to compare differences in antibiotic choice and duration for different socioeconomic factors, and analyze changes after quality improvement (QI) efforts. Multidisciplinary QI team used multiple Plan- Do-Study-Act cycles and was successful in improving antibiotic duration for CAP and ABRS from a baseline of 13% to 61% (January …

Empathy, Compassion Fatigue, And Resilience In Central Florida Firefighters And Ems Personnel, Lisa M. Correll

PhD in Education

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative study was to determine the relationship between empathy, compassion fatigue (CF), and resilience in firefighters and EMS personnel. Career firefighters and EMS personnel (N = 76) in Central Florida participated in an online survey that included demographic information, the Empathy Assessment Index, Professional Quality of Life Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10. Participants reported high perceptions of empathy (M = 4.11), resilience (M = 3.98), and quality of life (M = 3.28), but CF was perceived at low levels (M = 2.97). Empathy was not predictive of CF, indicating that overall empathy alone does …

Reducing Waste And Cost By Utilizing Tap Water For Laceration Irrigation In The Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Approach, Alison L. Fowler, Rohan Akhouri, Josaih Galdean, Isabella Dunt, Christopher Kaberline, Viktoriya Stoycheva Mha, Rn, Cpn, Sarah Nienhaus, Leslie Hueschen

Posters

Purpose/Objective: Lacerations requiring closure make up 8 million emergency department (ED) visits annually. Irrigating prior to closure with potable tap water decreases cost and waste without increasing rates of infection compared to sterile fluids. Currently, only 3.5% of lacerations closed in our ED are irrigated with tap water. This project aims to increase the percent age of lacerations closed by ED providers irrigated with tap water from 3.5% to 60% by March 2026 in a freestanding pediatric emergency department across two sites (ED 1, ED 2). Design/Methods: A multidisciplinary team (physicians, nurses, QI consultant, parent advisors) formed in November 2024. …

Association Of Higher Body Mass Index With Imaging Escalation And Operative Complexity In Pediatric Appendicitis, Ryan T. Davis, Sahithi Pemmasani, Margaret Menoch

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Obesity may complicate clinical assessment and ultrasound (US) evaluation in children with appendicitis, potentially increasing reliance on computed tomography (CT). At the same time, national pediatric quality-improvement initiatives and ALARA-driven imaging pathways emphasize reducing CT use and promoting US-first approaches. Data examining how body mass index (BMI) influences diagnostic pathways within these modern low-radiation protocols are limited.

Objective: To determine whether higher BMI is associated with greater CT utilization, escalation from US to CT, nondiagnostic US examinations, emergency department (ED) length of stay (ED-LOS), and operative duration in children with appendicitis.

Design/Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients < 18 years with surgically confirmed appendicitis presenting to a tertiary pediatric ED from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2023. Consistent with prior dataset methodology, encounters were identified through structured EHR query using ICD-10 and CPT codes and restricted to unique first visits. A total of 2,275 children were included; BMI was available for 2,012 (88%). BMI was analyzed in quartiles. Imaging modality (US-only, CT-only, or CT after US) and operative duration (proxy for case complexity) were evaluated. χ² and Wilcoxon tests and odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were used. IRB approval was obtained (Corewell Health IRB No. 2024-128).

Results: …

Sequential Presentation Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Acute Ischemic Stroke, And St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report, Ichlasul Mahdi Fardhani, Putu Aditya Darmawan Kuntadi, Hammam Arif Shabri, Muhammad Isra Rafidin Rayyan, Zarrah Yuniar Qolbi Harris, Tristi Lukita Wening, Azham Purwandhono

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Cardio-cerebral infarction (CCI), the simultaneous occurrence of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is a rare and life-threatening emergency. Management becomes even more challenging when accompanied by metabolic complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We report a case of a 45-year-old man with hypertension and a chronic smoking history, found unresponsive with right-sided hemiparesis. He was last seen well six hours before arrival. On examination, he was hypertensive, tachypneic, had a ketotic breath odor, GCS 12, and NIHSS 15. Laboratory results confirmed DKA, with a random blood glucose of 412 mg/dL and metabolic acidosis. Non-contrast brain CT revealed …

Exploring The Relationship Between Behavioral Health Early Prediction Model And Patient Outcomes In The Emergency Department, Karen M. Richendollar, Kathie M. Zimbro

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Problem: Emergency departments (EDs) are increasingly utilized for mental health (MH) care, often resulting in overcrowding and delayed access to specialized services. A significant proportion of MH patients are discharged without a psychiatric consult, raising concerns about safety and readmission rates. This trend places additional strain on already limited behavioral health resources and contributes to care delays for patients in acute crisis. Moreover, the lack of standardized discharge criteria for MH patients increases variability in care and may compromise patient outcomes. Purpose: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Behavioral Health Early Discharge Prediction Model (BHEDPM) in identifying MH patients …

Pediatric Simulation And Emergency Nurse Confidence, Katherine E. Wright

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Nurses working in a general emergency department (GED) with a low (3.3%) pediatric patient volume expressed a lack of confidence caring for complex pediatric patients.

PICOT: In general emergency department nurses (P), how does participating in a pediatric simulation event (I), compared to current practice (C), affect nurse confidence scores caring for pediatric patients (O) over 6 weeks (T)?

Evidence: A review of over 17 evidence-based resources found good quality evidence that suggested participating in a simulation event can improve nurse confidence.

Intervention: Over six weeks, GED staff members participated in a pediatric simulation event. The simulation utilized …

Targeting Cardiomyocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Mir-574-5p Protects Against Cognitive Impairment Induced By Ischemia-Reperfusion, Erya Chen, Xiaoyu Zhu, Haiqing Chang, Qi Li, Zhenkun Zhao, Changteng Zhang, Yu Cao, Yajing Wang, Xinliang Ma, Tao Zhu, Shu Zhang, Lu Gan, Jin Liu, Chan Chen

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND:  Acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) increases risk for cognitive decline, yet the underlying mechanisms mediating heart-brain communication remain poorly understood. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have emerged as novel long-range signaling mediators and may play a critical role.

METHODS: MI/R was induced by transient ligation of the left anterior descending artery. Cognitive performance was assessed using multiple behavioral tests. sEVs derived from cardiomyocytes were labeled to track their distribution and cellular uptake in the brain. Heart and brain tissues were analyzed for microRNAs (miRNAs) expression using bioinformatics, qPCR, and RNAScope. The role of specific miRNAs was investigated through genetic inhibition of …

Fibrinogen-Bmal1 Signaling As A Therapeutic Target To Limit Aortic Dissection By Preserving Vsmc Contractility, Xiaohan Zhong, Dongjie Li, Yuanfei Zhao, Lu Dai, Jinzhang Li, Zhiqi Ji, Bojing Zuo, Hongshan Liu, Haixia Huang, Wei Wang, Haiyang Li, Yuyong Liu, Ming Gong, Xin-Liang Ma, Wenjian Jiang, Meili Wang, Hongjia Zhang

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening vascular disease with a high mortality rate. Surgery is essential in the acute phase but carries significant risks, whereas elective surgery during the chronic phase yields better outcomes. However, no pharmacological therapy has been proven effective in slowing AD progression. In our recent pilot clinical study, an association between higher plasma fibrinogen levels and improved clinical outcomes was observed in AD patients, suggesting a potential protective role of fibrinogen. However, direct evidence supporting this hypothesis is lacking. In this study, a population-based analysis of nonsurgically managed patients with acute AD revealed a distinct association: …

Improving Door To Ekg Time In The Emergency Department, Juleene J Mcgowan

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

References:

Yiadom, M. Y., Gong, W., Patterson, B., et al. 2022.

Fallacy of Median Door-to-ECG Time: Hidden Opportunities for STEMI Screening Involvement.

Journal of American Heart Association. Https://doi.org/10.11161/JAHA.121.024067

Yiadom, M. Y., Gong W., Bloos S., et al. 2024.

Shorter Door-to-ECG Time is Associated with Improved Mortality in STEMI Patients.

Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024, 13, 2650. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092650

A Qi: Implementing Pawss And Ciwa Adherence Challenge In The Psychiatric Emergency Department, Bailey Poler

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

No abstract provided.

Culture Clean-Up: Journey To Reduce Blood Culture Contamination Rates Among Emergency Department Nurses, Stefanie Lai, Michelle Elia, Marelin Acicon, Rey Paolo

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

No abstract provided.

Establishing Bedside Report In The Emergency Care Center, Alexandra Rowen

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

No abstract provided.

Endometriosis Knowledge Among Emergency Medicine Providers: Diagnostic Skills And Symptom Recognition, Caidon Iwuagwu, Laurel X. Chen, Ellen Slattery, Pranjal Srivastava, Hamsitha Karra, Sheyenne Tung, Adrienne Burton, Camila Bomtempo, Jamie Aranda

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: Endometriosis is associated with significant diagnostic delays, averaging 6.7 years, largely due to nonspecific symptoms and inadequate diagnostic approaches. Over 15,000 emergency department (ED) visits in the United States annually involve patients with endometriosis, highlighting the need for knowledge of endometriosis. This study surveys emergency medicine (EM) attendings, residents, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and fellows to assess knowledge and practice in managing endometriosis-related ED complaints. Methods: A questionnaire from a prior endometriosis survey was modified for EM providers and administered anonymously via email (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) in monthly newsletters to providers at an academic and six associated community EDs. …

The 'Golden Hour': A Geospatial Analysis Of Travel Time To Public Emergency Departments In Kenya, Tushara Surapaneni, Nancy Kinyua, Benjamin Wachira

Emergency Medicine, East Africa

Introduction In Kenya and many other low- and middle-income countries, prehospital care systems are underdeveloped or entirely non-existent, leaving emergency departments (EDs) as the primary point of care for medical emergencies. The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to use a geographic information system (GIS) to comprehensively analyse access to public EDs in Kenya within 1-hour and 2-hour travel times.

Methods Using open-source GIS software, population, land cover, elevation and road network data were analysed to create maps of 1-hour and 2-hour travel time catchment areas around public EDs in Kenya. Travel time analysis was calculated using AccessMod with …

Imaging In Acute Neurovascular Emergencies: Optimizing Outcomes In Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke, Chandu Goli, Rohit Patel, Elliott Beard, Anna Liles, Saeed Saleh, Aleeza Namit, Alissa Ongaco, Kevin Steed Ph.D.

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose:

Large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, and patient outcomes are strongly influenced by rapid identification and timely reperfusion. Advances in acute neurovascular imaging have transformed stroke care by enabling precise patient selection, extending treatment windows, and accelerating clinical workflows. The purpose of this project is to evaluate how modern neurovascular imaging strategies influence treatment selection, workflow efficiency, and clinical outcomes in patients with acute LVO stroke.

Methods:

A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature published within the past decade was conducted. The review focused on CT-based imaging (non-contrast CT, CT angiography, CT …

The Need For Accessible Cpr Training, Madilyn Cataloni

CAFE Symposium 2026

For my project, I researched how CPR certification can affect an emergency response. From this, I researched Gettysburg College's CPR certification requirements for different departments. I then brainstormed different plans to make CPR certification more accessible to students and employees.

The Heart’S Hidden Influencer: Epicardial Adipose Tissue In The Pathogenesis Of Heart Failure, Aobo Li, Avilash Mondal, Jianli Zhao, John Zhang, Xin-Liang Ma

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Abstract – Heart failure (HF) is a complex, multifactorial clinical syndrome with diverse etiologies and phenotypic manifestations, affecting millions of people globally. HF is broadly classified into 3 subtypes: HF with reduced ejection fraction, HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction, and HF with preserved ejection fraction. Each subtype exhibits distinct pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical trajectories, and therapeutic responses, posing significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and management. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a metabolically active visceral fat depot situated in close proximity to the myocardium, plays a dual role in physiological and pathological states, offering potential utility as a biomarker and therapeutic …

A Case Report Of Milk-Alkali Syndrome Secondary To Excessive Antacid Use, Samir Beso, Layla Abubshait

Einstein Health Papers

INTRODUCTION: Milk-alkali syndrome is characterized by the triad of hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and acute kidney injury resulting from excessive intake of calcium and absorbable alkali. Despite falling out of prominence with the advent of modern ulcer treatments, milk-alkali syndrome has experienced a resurgence with the widespread availability of over-the-counter calcium preparations, which now account for up to 10% of hypercalcemia cases.

CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old man with multiple comorbidities presented to the emergency department with altered mental status after his scheduled kyphoplasty was canceled due to concerning neurological findings. Laboratory evaluation revealed severe hypercalcemia, marked metabolic alkalosis, and acute kidney …

Flare Guns And Trauma: Patterns, Severity, And Clinical Implications From Case And National Surveillance Data, Ramsay Hafer, Andrew Huff, Lara Phillips

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Flare guns are pyrotechnic devices capable of causing serious injury due to high-temperature combustion and projectile discharge. Though intended for signaling in maritime or wilderness settings, improper use can result in trauma patterns distinct from those seen with typical burns or fireworks. Despite their severity, flare gun injuries remain underreported and poorly characterized. We conducted a scoping review of PubMed, Scopus, and Ovid to identify 12 case reports involving 13 patients, and reviewed US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System records from 2015 to 2024, identifying 18 flare gun-specific injuries for a combined total of 31 injuries. Demographic, injury mechanism, body …

Recurrent Miller Fisher Syndrome: A Case Report, Larry Vernier, Griffin B. Gilmore, Kelsey Van Housen, Xiao C. Zhang

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Guillain-Barré syndrome can manifest with progressive paralysis, requiring careful monitoring and treatment with steroids or intravenous (IV) immunoglobin. While this disease can be devastating and require intensive care unit level of care, there are few incidences of relapses.

CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old man with a past medical history of Miller Fisher syndrome variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome, with complete recovery, presented to the emergency department (ED) with ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, dysphonia, and ambulatory dysfunction. The patient noticed his neurologic symptoms after waking up, and he presented to the ED with physical examination positive for difficulty with upward gaze, mild right lower …