Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Emergency Medicine for February 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
CDC Makes Changes to Coronavirus Testing Efforts
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Just how prepared the United States is to quell an outbreak of coronavirus on American soil came into question on Thursday, as federal officials changed guidelines for testing after a whistleblower complaint. The complaint claimed some federal health workers had been allowed to interact with quarantined Americans without proper training or protective gear.
AP News Article
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Facebook Bans False or Alarming Coronavirus Ads
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Misleading ads about products that claim to cure or protect against the new coronavirus will be banned from Facebook, the social media company said Wednesday. It also said it will prohibit ads that may trigger alarm about the outbreak.
Patient Satisfaction Scores for Hospitals Driven by Hospitality
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Measures of hospitality, not medical care, actually drive patient satisfaction scores for hospital care, according to research published online Feb. 13 in Special Forces.
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First U.S. Case of ‘Unknown Origin’ COVID-19 Identified
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Vice President Mike Pence will lead the U.S. response to a potential global pandemic of COVID-19, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday evening.
AP News Article
CDC Media Statement
Antibiotic, Opioid Rx Common With ED Visits for Dental Conditions
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Antibiotics and opioids are frequently prescribed during emergency department visits for dental conditions, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Adults May Not Need Tetanus, Diphtheria Booster Shots
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The incidence rates of tetanus and diphtheria are not significantly lower in countries that routinely vaccinate adults for these diseases, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
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First U.S. Trial of Possible Coronavirus Treatment Begins
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The University of Nebraska Medical Center has launched the first clinical trial in the United States of a possible treatment for the new coronavirus.
AP News Article
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Gender, Race Do Not Affect How Patients Rate Emergency Doctors
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For simulated patient evaluations, there are no differences in satisfaction based on the race or sex of emergency medicine physicians, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Influence of Politics Has Not Waned in Opinions About ACA
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Public opinion about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains divided 10 years after its passage, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in Health Affairs.
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Mistreatment, Discrimination Still Common for Medical Students
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mistreatment of medical students remains common for women, racial/ethnic minorities, and sexual minorities, according to a study published online Feb. 24 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Judge Says More Answers Needed About Relocation of COVID-19 Patients
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Federal and California officials must provide more information to local officials about plans to relocate former cruise ship passengers who have tested positive for the new coronavirus to a facility in a Southern California community, a federal judge ruled Monday.
AP News Article
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$2.5 Billion Coronavirus Plan Sent to Congress
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A $2.5 billion plan to fight the coronavirus outbreak was sent by the White House to Congress on Monday evening, as countries around the world raced to stem outbreaks of “untraceable” cases of the virus.
AP News Article
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Antibiotics, Corticosteroids Beneficial in COPD Exacerbations
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For adults with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), antibiotics and systemic corticosteroids are associated with less treatment failure, according to a review published online Feb. 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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1990 to 2017 Saw Increase in Global Deaths From Lung Disease
MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 1990 to 2017, the number of global deaths from chronic respiratory diseases increased, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in The BMJ.
Increases in Alcohol-Induced Death Rates ID’d Across U.S.
MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2000 to 2016, there were large increases in alcohol-induced death rates across age and racial/ethnic subgroups, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
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Editorial 1
Editorial 2
Global Coronavirus Outbreaks Stoking Fears of Pandemic
MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A coronavirus pandemic looked ever more likely on Monday as multiple countries around the world raced to stem outbreaks of “untraceable” cases of the virus.
AP News Article
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Image Reading on Mobile Devices Feasible for Stroke Decisions
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mobile devices may be reliable and accurate for interpreting images needed in making the clinical decision to administer intravenous (IV) thrombolysis in patients with acute stroke, according to a study published online Feb. 12 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
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CDC: U.S. Coronavirus Cases Reach 34
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The number of coronavirus cases among Americans jumped to 34 Friday, as U.S. health officials reported that more passengers who were evacuated from a quarantined cruise ship in Japan have tested positive for the virus.
QOL Similar After Surgery, Antibiotics for Uncomplicated Appendicitis
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients being treated for uncomplicated acute appendicitis, quality of life (QOL) is similar at seven years after appendectomy or antibiotic therapy, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in JAMA Surgery.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
U.S. Coronavirus Cases Now Stand at 26
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Eleven Americans who were evacuated from a quarantined cruise ship in Japan have tested definitively for coronavirus, bringing the case count in this country to 26, U.S. health officials reported late Thursday.
Major Malformations Up With Macrolide Prescribing in Pregnancy
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Prescribing macrolide antibiotics during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for major fetal malformation, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in The BMJ.
First Coronavirus Death Reported in South Korea
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The first new coronavirus-related death in South Korea was reported on Thursday.
AP News Article
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Vaccine Effectiveness 45 Percent for Flu Virus Linked to ARI
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The overall vaccine effectiveness (VE) against any influenza virus associated with medically attended acute respiratory illness (ARI) is 45 percent for the current influenza season, according to research published in the Feb. 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Number of COVID-19 Cases in China Lower With New Counting Method
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The number of COVID-19 cases in China dropped Thursday, but the decline might just be due to new methods in how case numbers are tallied.
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Many Transgender Youth Intentionally Avoid Disclosure
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Most transgender youth voluntarily disclose their gender identity to health care providers (HCPs) outside of a gender clinic; however, almost half report having intentionally avoided disclosure, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
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Prescription Medications Can Be Found on Craigslist
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Prescription medications, especially analog insulin, can be found on Craigslist, according to a research letter published online Feb. 17 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Quarantine Ends on Cruise Ship in Japan as Coronavirus Cases Near 75,000
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — As the number of coronavirus cases reached 75,000 and deaths topped 2,000, a two-week quarantine of a cruise ship docked in Japan ended Wednesday.
Risk of Major Heart Complications Up Shortly Following Stroke
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Ischemic stroke is independently associated with an increased risk for incident poststroke major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in both men and women, according to a study published in the February issue of Stroke.
One-Quarter of Antibiotic Prescriptions at Children’s Hospitals Suboptimal
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — One in three children are prescribed antibiotics at children’s hospitals, and 25.9 percent prescribed antibiotics for infectious use are receiving at least one suboptimal antibiotic, according to a study recently published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
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Rx Meds That Children Access Often Removed From Packaging
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — More than half of prescription medication exposures among children involve access to medications that have previously been removed from their original packaging, according to a study published online Feb. 11 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Japanese Couple on Delta Flight From Hawaii Diagnosed With Coronavirus
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Delta Airlines is notifying passengers who were on a Feb. 6 flight from Hawaii to Japan that a Japanese couple on the flight tested positive for novel coronavirus after they returned home.
CNN Article
More Information: CDC
Chinese Report Says Majority of Coronavirus Cases Are Mild
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — New details on nearly 45,000 cases of COVID-19 in China show that 80 percent of cases are mild and the number of new cases has been declining for most of February.
AP News Article
More Information: CDC
CDC: Coronavirus Spreads Most Easily When Patients Are Sickest
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Coronavirus is most infectious when patients are at the peak of their illness, health officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.
AP News Article
More Information: CDC
Medtronic MiniMed 600 Series Insulin Pumps Recalled
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — More than 322,000 MiniMed 600 Series Insulin Pumps have been recalled by Medtronic due to a defect that could cause them to malfunction and put users at risk for serious harm or death.
U.S. Life Expectancy to Reach 85 by 2060
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Nearly a quarter of all U.S. residents will be older than 65 by 2060, and life expectancy will reach an all-time high of 85 by that year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Short-Course Rifamycin-Based Regimens Preferred for Latent TB
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), short-course rifamycin-based regimens are preferred over longer-course isoniazid monotherapy, according to guidelines published in the Feb. 14 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Exposure to PM2.5 Tied to Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with an increased risk for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), according to a study published in the January issue of The Lancet Planetary Health.
Cool Water for 20 Minutes After Pediatric Burn Improves Outcomes
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Cooling children’s burns with running water improves clinical outcomes, according to a study published in the January issue of the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
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CDC: Some Coronavirus Testing Kits Sent to States Are Faulty
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Some coronavirus testing kits sent to state laboratories across the United States are flawed and do not provide accurate results, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
Subconcussive Head Impacts May Affect Neuro-Ophthalmologic Function
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Repetitive subconcussive head impacts may cause short-term impairment of neuro-ophthalmologic function, according to a study published online Feb. 13 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
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Coronavirus Cases, Deaths Rise Sharply
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — After charting a slight decline in spread earlier this week, new coronavirus cases in China jumped by almost 15,000 in a single day, while the death count spiked to 1,367, Chinese health officials reported Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
AP News Article
More Information: CDC
Many Dermatologists Not Ready to Respond to Biological Attacks
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many dermatologists report that they are not adequately prepared to deal with biological attacks and other manmade disasters, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
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Orthostatic Hypotension During HTN Tx Not Tied to CVD Events
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Orthostatic hypotension (OH) during hypertension treatment is not associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular disease events, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in Hypertension.
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More Lung Cancer Patients Presenting With Cough, Dyspnea
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The proportion of lung cancer patients with an index symptom of cough or shortness of breath has increased over time, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in the British Journal of General Practice.
2011 to 2018 Saw Decline in Problems Paying Medical Bills
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2011 to 2018, there was a decrease in the percentage of families having problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months, according to a February data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
Coronavirus Spread Slows, but Death Toll Jumps to 1,113
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — While the number of new cases of coronavirus in China slowed on Wednesday, the death count has now risen to 1,113, Chinese health officials reported.
AP News Articles
More Information: CDC
2002 to 2018 Saw Increases in Heroin Use, Use Disorder, Injection
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of heroin use, heroin use disorder, and heroin injection increased from 2002 to 2018, according to a research letter published in the Feb. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Coronavirus Fears Have U.S. Pharmacies Running Out of Face Masks
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — As millions in China scramble to find and wear face masks they believe will protect them against the new coronavirus, many Americans are trying to do the same.
National Community Pharmacists Association
AP News Article
Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 1,000; 13th U.S. Case Confirmed
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — More than 1,000 deaths and close to 43,000 illnesses have now been confirmed in the coronavirus outbreak that continues to rage in China, while a 13th U.S. case was reported late Monday.
AP News Articles
More Information: CDC
CDC Outlines U.S. Process of Evaluating Patients for 2019-nCoV
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Recognizing individuals at risk for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection is a key part of facilitating infection control and prevention and limiting transmission, according to research published in the Feb. 7 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Empathy Declines as Students Progress Through Medical School
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Students become less empathic toward patients throughout medical school, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in Academic Medicine.
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Seniors Have Concerns About Affording Health Insurance
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many adults aged 50 to 64 years are concerned about their ability to afford health insurance, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
Man Residing in China First U.S. Citizen to Die From Coronavirus
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A 60-year-old man living in Wuhan, China, has become the first American citizen to die from the new coronavirus that first surfaced in the Chinese city.
The Washington Post Article
More Information: CDC
Sexual Minority Youth More Likely to Attempt Suicide
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — More teenagers are identifying as sexual minorities, and sexual minority youth have high prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts, according to two studies published online Feb. 10 in Pediatrics.
Abstract/Full Text – Raifman
Abstract/Full Text – Liu
Editorial
Telepsychiatry Services Expand Access to Behavioral Health Care
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Two studies published online Feb. 5 in Psychiatric Services show the successful use of telepsychiatry services in different settings.
Abstract/Full Text – Freeman (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Shore (subscription or payment may be required)
Chinese Doctor Among First to Warn About Coronavirus Dies From Virus
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The Chinese doctor who was silenced by authorities when he was one of the first to sound the alarm about the coronavirus has died from the virus, according to the hospital where he was being treated.
Baby Carriers Recalled Because Infant Can Fall Out
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — About 14,000 Infantino soft infant and toddler carriers have been recalled because their buckles can break and put children at risk for falling, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says.
More Americans Evacuated From China Due to Coronavirus
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — More Americans have been evacuated from the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in China, as U.S. health officials reported a 12th domestic case of coronavirus late Wednesday in Wisconsin. The number of deaths in China has surpassed 600, and the infection count has risen above 31,000.
The New York Times Article
More Information: CDC
More Information: FDA
Number of Nurse Practitioners More Than Doubled 2010 to 2017
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2010 to 2017, there was a substantial increase in the number of nurse practitioners in the United States, with a corresponding reduction in the size of the registered nurse workforce, according to a report published in the February issue of Health Affairs.
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CT Scan Features Described for 2019 Novel Coronavirus Infection
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Key computed tomography (CT) findings have been characterized for patients infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), according to research published online Feb. 4 in Radiology.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
WHO Seeks $675 Million for Coronavirus Fight
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The World Health Organization is seeking $675 million to help countries deal with the expected spread of the new coronavirus that originated in China.
AP News Article
World Health Organization
Reference Pricing Linked to Lower Prices Paid by Employers
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Reference prices are associated with lower prices paid by employers and lower cost sharing by employees, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in JAMA Network Open.
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Second Coronavirus Death Reported Outside China
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — While health experts fear that the coronavirus outbreak in China will become a pandemic as infections topped 20,600 worldwide, the second death outside China was reported in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
The New York Times Article
More Information: CDC
Experimental Antiviral Drug to Be Tested Against New Coronavirus
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A clinical trial to test an experimental antiviral drug’s effectiveness against the new coronavirus will be conducted in China as it battles a coronavirus outbreak there.
Bloomberg News Article
More Information: CDC
Spread of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak Estimated
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Multiple major cities in China are estimated to have imported cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and epidemics are estimated to be growing exponentially in those cities, according to a study published online Jan. 31 in The Lancet.
Altering Default Settings in EHR Influences Opioid Prescribing
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Altering the default settings in the electronic medical record can influence the quantity of opioids prescribed in an emergency department setting, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Clinical Characteristics ID’d for 99 Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a descriptive study published online Jan. 29 in The Lancet, clinical characteristics are presented for the first 99 patients with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Abstract/Full Text – Chen
Abstract/Full Text – Lu
More Naloxone Orders Filled When Pharmacists Can Dispense
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A change in the law allowing pharmacists to dispense naloxone correlated with a large increase in the number of naloxone orders dispensed in Ohio, according to a study published online Jan. 31 in JAMA Network Open.
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