Academic Emergency Medicine
Audio Summaries

Co-Design of a Sleep Improvement Intervention for Persons Living With Dementia Boarding in the Emergency Department

Mar 25, 2026

This study aimed to co-design strategies to improve sleep for persons living with dementia (PLWD) who are boarding in the emergency department (ED), an environment that often exacerbates sleep disruption. Through qualitative interviews and focus groups with various stakeholders, the authors identified key barriers and potential solutions, including structured nighttime routines and environmental modifications. The findings suggest that tailored interventions could mitigate sleep disruption and reduce delirium risk for PLWD in the ED setting.

A Scoping Review of Teamwork, Patient Safety, and Clinician Well-Being in the Emergency Department

Mar 25, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the interconnections between teamwork, patient safety, and clinician well-being in emergency departments through a scoping review of existing literature. They found evidence suggesting that stronger teamwork is associated with improved patient safety and clinician well-being; however, the research is fragmented and lacks comprehensive studies that simultaneously address all three domains. The authors highlight the need for future research utilizing more robust methodologies and objective safety outcomes to strengthen the evidence base.

A Multidimensional Approach to Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: What the NIH-NINDS CBI-M Framework Means for Emergency Medicine

Mar 24, 2026

The authors aim to introduce and contextualize the NIH-NINDS CBI-M framework for acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) within emergency medicine, highlighting its potential to enhance injury characterization beyond traditional categorical labels. They discuss the framework's core components and its relevance to emergency practice, addressing both its alignment with current care and the implementation challenges that remain. Ultimately, the article seeks to foster dialogue among emergency physicians regarding this evolving approach to TBI assessment.

Disposition at Equipoise: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Physicians' Decision-Making About Hospitalizing People With Dementia

Mar 24, 2026

This study investigates how emergency physicians make decisions regarding the hospitalization of patients with dementia in situations where either admission or discharge could be appropriate. Through qualitative interviews, the authors identify key factors influencing these decisions, including caregiver availability, anticipated clinical trajectories, and the potential harms of hospitalization. The findings suggest that improving decision-making processes and health system support for outpatient care could enhance patient-centered outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Beyond Triage: Cognitive Profiles and ED-To-Inpatient Costs and Resource Pathways in Older Adults

Mar 23, 2026

This study investigates how different cognitive profiles in older adults affect hospital costs and resource utilization following emergency department visits. The authors found that while clinical severity was the primary factor influencing care costs, cognitive profiles—specifically delirium and cognitive impairment—were linked to variations in care pathways and resource allocation. Understanding these cognitive distinctions is crucial for improving care strategies and optimizing resources for older patients.

Chronological Sequence of Convulsive Status Epilepticus Treatment Steps in a Real-Life Scenario for Patients Enrolled in a Large Multicenter Trial

Mar 19, 2026

This study investigates the timing of treatment steps for patients with generalized convulsive status epilepticus (SE) in a real-world setting, using data from the Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT). The authors aim to assess adherence to guideline-recommended timeframes and identify factors contributing to delays in treatment, finding that while many interventions occurred within recommended windows, significant variability and a lack of prehospital benzodiazepine use were prevalent. The results suggest that earlier administration of second-line therapy is associated with better treatment outcomes, highlighting the need for improved adherence to treatment guidelines.

ALERT-ED: Awareness and Linkage to Resources for At-Risk Emergency Department Patients: Interviews with Older Patients, Caregivers, and Nurses

Mar 17, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of ALERT-ED, a digital intervention designed to automate fall risk notification and referral for older emergency department patients. Through interviews with patients, caregivers, and nurses, they identified key themes related to the intervention's implementation, including barriers to awareness and workflow integration, as well as factors that enhance trust and engagement. The findings suggest that ALERT-ED could effectively integrate public health strategies into emergency care for at-risk older adults.

Bot-Tastic: Overload Burden of Unsolicited Peer Review Requests, Field of Expertise, and Narrative Hot-Takes

Mar 17, 2026

The authors aimed to quantify and analyze the burden of unsolicited peer review requests on senior academic physicians, examining factors such as relevance, prior relationships with journals, and emotional responses to these requests. Their study found that a majority of solicitations were from unfamiliar journals and often deemed irrelevant, leading to high rates of declined or ignored requests and feelings of frustration among reviewers. The findings suggest a need for editors to improve the peer review request process to mitigate reviewer fatigue.

Development and Validation of the Emergency Department Transitions Measure

Mar 17, 2026

The authors aimed to develop and validate a measure to assess the quality of care transitions for patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) who experience diagnostic uncertainty. Through a mixed methods approach, they created the Emergency Department Transitions (EDT) measure, which consists of 10 items demonstrating strong reliability and validity. This tool can be utilized in future clinical and research settings to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving care transitions in the ED.

"Talk About It!" Shared Decision-Making for Methadone and Buprenorphine Initiation: Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Conversation Aid via Community-Based Participatory Research

Mar 11, 2026

The authors aimed to develop and evaluate a conversation aid, "Talk About It" (TAI), to facilitate shared decision-making regarding opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in emergency department settings. Through community-based participatory research, they refined TAI based on feedback from patients with lived experience and clinicians, ultimately demonstrating high acceptability and feasibility for implementation. Further testing is needed to assess the effectiveness of TAI in improving access to OAT.