Emergency medicine journal
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Cross-sectional associations between neurodiversity and violence-related attendances in Welsh Emergency Departments and the role of Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programmes

Aug 3, 2026

This study investigates the relationship between neurodiversity—specifically ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and learning difficulties—and violence-related attendances in Welsh Emergency Departments, as well as the effectiveness of Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programmes in supporting neurodiverse patients. The findings reveal that ADHD and learning difficulties are linked to increased violence-related ED visits, while ASD is associated with a lower likelihood of such attendances. Additionally, the study highlights that neurodiverse individuals are not less likely to engage with support services, indicating the potential for targeted violence prevention programs in emergency settings.

Black-white implicit bias among healthcare workers in UK emergency departments: findings from the multicentred BiasED Study

Jul 30, 2026

The study aimed to investigate implicit racial bias among healthcare professionals in UK emergency departments using the Implicit Association Test (IAT). Results revealed a pro-white bias among most participants, with men and non-black individuals exhibiting higher levels of implicit bias, despite self-reports indicating minimal explicit bias. These findings underscore the need for awareness and strategies to address implicit bias in emergency care settings to ensure equitable treatment and outcomes.

In children presenting to the paediatric emergency department (PED) with acute gastroenteritis, does the use of probiotics lead to a shorter duration of diarrhoeal symptoms?

Jul 30, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether probiotics can shorten the duration of diarrhoeal symptoms in children with acute gastroenteritis presenting to the paediatric emergency department. After reviewing relevant literature, they concluded that probiotics do not significantly reduce the duration of diarrhoea and should not be prescribed for this condition.

Non-communicable disease prevalence among asylum seekers and Swiss nationals: a comparative cross-sectional study in emergency care

Jul 28, 2026

This study aimed to compare the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and healthcare access between asylum seekers (AS) and Swiss nationals (SN) in an emergency department setting. The findings revealed similar overall NCD prevalence and emergency consultation rates, but highlighted a higher prevalence of diabetes among AS, particularly in women, indicating significant health inequities and gaps in chronic care for this marginalized population. The authors emphasize the role of emergency departments in identifying these disparities and informing strategies to improve NCD prevention and care for displaced individuals.

A socioeconomic equity measured by Indices of Multiple Deprivation for HEMS-attended major trauma in South East England: heterogenous effects in severe traumatic brain injury

Jul 28, 2026

This study aimed to investigate whether 30-day mortality rates for major trauma patients attended by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) differ across socioeconomic deprivation quintiles in South East England. The findings revealed no significant differences in mortality rates or service provision across these quintiles, suggesting that HEMS may help mitigate health inequalities in major trauma. However, the authors noted a significant interaction between Glasgow Coma Scale scores and deprivation in traumatic brain injury cases, indicating the need for further exploration of age-dependent variations.

Alcohol-related minor injuries in an emergency room setting (ARMIERo): a case-crossover study on alcohol consumption and alcohol attributable fraction of minor injuries

Jul 24, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between acute alcohol consumption and the risk of minor injuries in individuals presenting to an emergency department, as well as to determine the alcohol-attributable fraction of these injuries. Their findings revealed that acute alcohol consumption significantly increases the odds of minor injuries, with approximately 23% of cases attributable to alcohol, highlighting the potential for targeted interventions to reduce this preventable burden in emergency settings.

Association between the timing of prehospital epinephrine administration and patient outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Korea: a nationwide observational study

Jul 23, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the impact of the timing of epinephrine administration on clinical outcomes in adults who experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Korea. Their findings indicate that early administration of epinephrine (within 20 minutes) is associated with significantly higher rates of return of spontaneous circulation, survival to discharge, and favorable neurological recovery compared to delayed administration. The study underscores the critical importance of timely advanced life support in improving patient outcomes.

Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care high-sensitivity troponin algorithms for emergency department rule-out and rule-in of acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jul 21, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of high-sensitivity point-of-care (hs-POC) troponin algorithms for the rule-out and rule-in of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in emergency departments. Their systematic review and meta-analysis found that these algorithms demonstrated high sensitivity (98.0%) and negative predictive value (99.9%) for rule-out, as well as high specificity (96.0%) for rule-in, across various platforms, suggesting they can facilitate rapid and accurate clinical decision-making. The study highlights the need for further implementation research to assess the impact of these algorithms on emergency department workflows and patient outcomes.

Is non-supine positioning preferable in patients requiring intubation in the emergency department?

Jul 17, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether non-supine positioning during intubation in the emergency department improves first-pass success rates. Their systematic review of six prospective studies, including two randomized trials, found a positive correlation between patient angulation and first-pass success in three of the studies, suggesting that inclined positioning may be beneficial for ED intubation protocols.

Clinician characteristics associated with CT use in children with minor blunt head trauma at very low risk for clinically important traumatic brain injuries

Jul 10, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate how clinician characteristics and risk tolerances influence the use of CT scans in children with minor blunt head trauma who are at very low risk for clinically important traumatic brain injuries (ciTBI). Their findings revealed that factors such as years of experience, lower risk tolerance, and a smaller proportion of pediatric patients in practice were associated with increased CT ordering. The study suggests that enhancing the involvement of pediatric experts in imaging decisions and addressing clinician biases could help reduce unnecessary CT scans in this population.