Academic Emergency Medicine
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Lock and Protect, Reducing Access to Adolescent Means of Suicide: A Pilot Feasibility Study

May 8, 2026

The authors aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of "Lock and Protect," a web-based lethal means counseling decision aid for caregivers of adolescents presenting to the emergency department with suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The pilot study found high enrollment and completion rates among caregivers, who reported the tool as respectful, useful, and effective in promoting safer home storage of medications. Overall, the study suggests that "Lock and Protect" is a viable intervention for enhancing suicide prevention efforts in pediatric emergency settings.

Overlooking Barriers to Safe and Effective Emergency Department Discharge

May 6, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the ability of resident physicians to identify social and functional barriers that patients face after being discharged from the emergency department (ED). Their study found that patients reported these barriers at significantly higher rates than the physicians recognized, indicating poor sensitivity and agreement between patient-reported and physician-identified challenges. The findings suggest a need for improved training and systematic screening to enhance patient care transitions post-discharge.

How Often Are Emergency Patients Diagnosed With Diabetic Ketoacidosis Despite Not Meeting Laboratory Criteria?

May 6, 2026

The authors aimed to determine how frequently emergency department patients are diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) despite not meeting established laboratory criteria. In their study of 1,676 patients, they found that while 53% met the laboratory criteria for DKA, 31% of those who did not meet the criteria were still diagnosed with DKA, indicating that emergency physicians may rely on clinical judgment in addition to laboratory results for DKA diagnoses.

Characteristics and Short-Term Outcomes of Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism Requiring Intubation

May 5, 2026

This study aimed to characterize the outcomes of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) who required intubation and to assess the incidence of hemodynamic instability during this process. The findings revealed that over half of the patients experienced significant hemodynamic deterioration, with serious complications such as cardiac arrest occurring frequently. The authors emphasize the need for caution during intubation in PE patients and call for further research to develop effective management strategies.

Standardized Workload Assessment Metric for Pediatric Emergency Departments (SWAMPED): Multicenter Derivation and Evaluation of a Task-Level Workload Measure

May 5, 2026

The authors aimed to develop and evaluate the Standardized Workload Assessment Metric for Pediatric Emergency Departments (SWAMPED) to provide a more accurate measure of physician workload at the task level, beyond traditional proxy measures. Through a multicenter study involving 62 physicians, they demonstrated that SWAMPED produced reliable and precise workload estimates that were sensitive to contextual factors affecting care components. This metric lays the groundwork for future research linking workload to clinical outcomes and health system planning.

Initial 12 mg Versus 6 mg Adenosine for Supraventricular Tachycardia in the Emergency Department

Apr 30, 2026

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of initial doses of 12 mg versus 6 mg of adenosine for converting sinus rhythm in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in the emergency department. The results indicated that the 12 mg dose significantly improved the rate of successful first-dose conversion (83.1% vs. 52.1%) without increasing adverse effects, suggesting it may be a more effective treatment option for SVT.

Characteristics Associated With Community Violence Prevention Programs in US Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis

Apr 29, 2026

The authors aimed to identify the hospital and county-level factors associated with the presence of community violence prevention programs (CVPPs) in U.S. hospitals. Their analysis revealed that CVPPs are more commonly found in larger, nonprofit, urban hospitals with greater resources, while the presence of these programs was not significantly linked to county-level homicide rates. This suggests a potential misalignment between where CVPPs are located and the areas with the greatest need for such interventions.

Age-Specific Clinical Biomarker Ranges in Acute Head Injury, Non-TBI Trauma, and Healthy Control Subjects in the Emergency Department

Apr 28, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate how age influences blood-based biomarkers for traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to the effects of the injury itself. Their findings reveal that age significantly affects biomarker levels, particularly for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and von Willebrand factor (vWF), with age-related changes often rivaling or exceeding those associated with TBI. This highlights the necessity for age-adjusted interpretations of biomarker data in clinical settings to avoid misclassification, especially in older patients.

Medication Management of Early Pregnancy Loss in an Urban Texas Emergency Department

Apr 27, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the occurrence and outcomes of medication management for early pregnancy loss (EPL) using misoprostol in an urban Texas emergency department. They found that medication management was infrequently offered, with most patients receiving expectant management, and identified that obstetric consultation significantly increased the likelihood of patients being offered misoprostol. The study highlights potential missed opportunities for medication treatment during initial ED visits, as some patients received misoprostol during follow-up visits instead.

Association Between American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System and Remimazolam Sedation Outcomes

Apr 27, 2026

This study aimed to evaluate the safety of remimazolam (RM) for procedural sedation in emergency department patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-III, specifically assessing the occurrence of respiratory complications. The findings indicated that 95%-100% of patients experienced no or mild/moderate respiratory issues, with ASA I and III patients showing the best outcomes, suggesting RM is a safe option for sedation across these ASA classifications.