Our 5000th Post!: More on CPR for the Elderly

From the New York Times:

“If older people and their families knew all that was involved, the manipulation, the tubes, the drugs and the low chances for a good outcome, they’d opt for comfort care instead,” Dr. Davis said. He’s 66, and tattooed on his own chest is an informal advance directive: “Shock Thrice,” meaning that after three attempts at defibrillation, the team should stop resuscitation and allow him to die.

Case Studies At Denver Health: ‘Patient Dumping’ In The Emergency Department Despite EMTALA, The Law That Banned It

From Health Affairs, via Fierce Healthcare:

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act was enacted in 1986 to prevent hospitals from turning away patients with emergency medical conditions, often because they were uninsured—a practice commonly known as “patient dumping.” Twenty-five years later, Denver Health—a large, urban, safety-net hospital—continues to experience instances in which people with emergency conditions, many of whom are uninsured, end up in the safety-net setting after having been denied care or receiving incomplete care elsewhere. We present five case studies and discuss potential limitations in the oversight and enforcement of the 1986 law. We advocate for a more effective system for reporting and acting on potential violations, as well as clearer standards governing compliance with the law.

 

Electronic records blamed for rising ER waits

From Modern Healthcare:

Patients’ lengths of stay in Columbus (Ind.) Regional Hospital’s emergency department doubled in late June during a switch to an electronic health-record system, and times are still longer than usual despite improvements, hospital officials said.

The emergency department, which had used a paper system for recording patient information, switched to an electronic system the week of June 24. The hospital, as a whole, is switching to a new electronic health records system to meet the requirements of the 2009 economic stimulus legislation, which provided incentives for using electronic health records.

“Dial 911 first to ensure best ER care”

From the Green Bay Press Gazette:

Five years ago, Bellin Health, with a boost from the Green Bay Packers, launched the “Make the Right Call” campaign to encourage people to dial 911 to report symptoms of heart attack or stroke.

Unfortunately, most people still aren’t doing that.

That’s why Bellin’s chest pain committee and local emergency service agencies, including the Ashwaubenon Department of Public Safety, the Green Bay Fire Department EMS, County Rescue in Brown County and the Oconto Fire & Rescue Department, are participating in a new campaign to again highlight the dangers of not calling 911. Private donations paid for the installation of large “Don’t Drive, Call 911” signs on ambulances.

Man walks into Oklahoma emergency room, fatally shoots himself in hospital’s restroom

From the News-Press:

A 53-year-old Oklahoma State University employee committed suicide Wednesday in a restroom in Stillwater Medical Center, Stillwater police said.

Captain Randy Dickerson said the man walked into the emergency room, went to a public restroom and shot himself in the chest at 12:30 p.m.

Salary Offered to Top Recruited Physician Specialties

From Becker’s:

Out of the top 20 recruited physician specialties from April 1, 2011, to March 31, 2012, a majority saw an increase in offered salaries, according to the Merritt Hawkins ”2012 Review of Physician Recruiting Incentives.”

The figures only represent the average base salary or guaranteed income that was offered. They do not include production bonuses or benefits.

•    Emergency medicine: $264,000 (3.5 percent increase)