EUGENE L. HEIMAN, M.D.

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This study looked at how healthcare workers in pediatric emergency departments across Israel detect and manage cases of child maltreatment. Researchers found that many professionals felt unsure about identifying potential cases, particularly in areas like sexual abuse, with a notable drop in confidence among those who are parents themselves. Additionally, the use of computerized systems that could assist in these detections was low and deemed insufficient, indicating a need for better training and resources. Who this helps: This helps healthcare professionals improve their detection skills, which ultimately benefits vulnerable children facing maltreatment.

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This study looked at how COVID-19 affected different ethnic groups in Jerusalem between April and July 2021. They found that Muslim Arabs had the highest rate of unconfirmed COVID-19 cases, while ultra-orthodox Jews had the highest rate of confirmed cases. The results showed that larger families and those living in crowded homes were more likely to have unconfirmed cases, highlighting the need for targeted health programs to support these vulnerable groups. Who this helps: This helps patients in high-risk ethnic groups and public health officials working on COVID-19 strategies.

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This study looked at kidney transplant patients who switched to a medication called belatacept and examined the risk of organ rejection. Among 69 patients, 10.1% experienced acute rejection a year after the switch. Patients who had rejected their kidneys before the switch had a significantly lower kidney function after one year—an average of 23 mL/min compared to 44 mL/min for those who hadn’t rejected their kidneys. Who this helps: This helps kidney transplant patients and their doctors in making informed treatment decisions.

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This study examined how well a new alcohol treatment program worked in a primary care clinic at a hospital that serves low-income patients. They found that from January 2022 to February 2023, 54 patients joined the program; 70% received medication for alcohol use disorder, and 58% accessed additional behavioral health services. Most importantly, after engaging with the program, 67% reported drinking less, and the rate of alcohol-related hospitalizations dropped dramatically from 48% to 13%. Who this helps: This helps patients struggling with alcohol use disorder, especially those in underserved communities.

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This study looked at how a new protocol for giving antibiotics quickly to patients with open fractures (broken bones that break through the skin) affects treatment times and adherence in a trauma setting. Researchers found that after implementing the protocol, the average time to start antibiotic treatment dropped from about 88 minutes to just 22 minutes, and the percentage of patients receiving antibiotics within the crucial first hour increased from 53% to 96%. This is important because faster antibiotic treatment can help prevent infections and improve recovery outcomes for patients with serious injuries. Who this helps: This helps trauma patients, especially those with open fractures.

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This study looked at how alcohol use affects the treatment of hepatitis C among patients at a clinic that helps those without insurance. Out of 954 patients, 99.2% were cured of hepatitis C, regardless of their alcohol consumption, indicating that drinking did not hinder treatment success. This is important because it shows that people who drink alcohol can still effectively receive treatment for hepatitis C, ensuring they are not excluded from care. Who this helps: This helps patients with hepatitis C, including those who also consume alcohol.

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This study looked at two surgical methods for treating serious heel bone fractures, the extensile lateral approach (ELA) and the minimally invasive sinus tarsi approach (STA). Researchers found that patients who had the ELA were nearly three times more likely to face postoperative wound complications compared to those who had the STA and had a higher risk of needing further surgery, though the trend for these complications appears to be improving over time. Understanding the differences in these surgical approaches can help improve patient care and reduce complications. Who this helps: This helps patients with calcaneal fractures and their doctors.

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This study looked at how effective and safe conscious sedation is for treating peritonsillar abscesses in children aged 2 to 15. Out of 155 episodes treated, 42 used conscious sedation, which resulted in more pus being drained (4.9 mL vs. 3.2 mL), lower pain scores (1.4 vs. 4.2), and fewer kids needing additional procedures (14% vs. 28%). These findings suggest that conscious sedation is a beneficial option for managing this painful condition in young patients. Who this helps: Children with peritonsillar abscesses and their doctors.

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This study looked at how soon patients can start putting weight on their legs after surgery for tibial plateau fractures. It compared two groups: one that began weight-bearing in less than 10 weeks (6.5 weeks on average) and another that waited longer than 10 weeks (11.8 weeks). The results showed that those who started earlier could begin bearing weight significantly sooner without any differences in healing time or complications. Who this helps: This research benefits patients recovering from tibial plateau fractures by potentially allowing them to regain mobility faster.

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This study looked at how an electronic reminder in health records influenced doctors to prescribe naloxone, a medication that can save lives by reversing opioid overdoses, when they also prescribed high doses of opioids. After the advisory was introduced on June 1, 2019, there was a noticeable increase in naloxone prescriptions. Specifically, prescribers started to issue more naloxone and also reduced the amount of opioids given, improving patient safety during the study period from July 2018 to February 2020. Who this helps: This helps patients at risk of opioid overdose.

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This study compared two surgical treatments for hallux rigidus, a common type of arthritis affecting the big toe, in 49 patients. The two treatments were cheilectomy, which involves removing bone spurs, and synthetic cartilage implant (SCI) hemiarthroplasty, which replaces part of the joint with artificial material. Patients who received SCI reported better function and greater toe movement after surgery, with average scores improving from 54.8 to 89.7, compared to a lesser improvement from 49.6 to 85.3 for those who underwent cheilectomy. Who this helps: This benefits patients suffering from hallux rigidus by providing options for effective surgical treatment.

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This study looked at how antibiotics are used in children diagnosed with dysentery at a pediatric emergency department. Out of 281 children, 234 (83%) received antibiotics, but only 162 showed bacteria in their tests, and only 32% of those were the specific bacteria Shigella. This matters because overprescribing antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat in the future. Who this helps: This helps children with dysentery and the doctors treating them.

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This study examined how white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can help identify infections in children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication of type 1 diabetes. Out of 180 children studied, 13.9% had probable bacterial infections, with 15.7% in the DKA group. The study found that having a high white blood cell count (leukocytosis) didn't reliably indicate an infection, but elevated CRP levels were significantly higher in DKA patients with infections, making CRP a better indicator. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors treating children with type 1 diabetes and DKA by helping them identify infections more accurately.

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This paper looks at how telehealth, specifically video and audio calls between doctors and patients, became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that when done well, telemedicine can improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes, but if poorly implemented, it can lead to unsafe care and increased disparities among patients. As payment for telemedicine services is set to end for many Americans after 2024, the paper highlights the need for policymakers, healthcare systems, and educators to create better guidelines and support to make telehealth effective for everyone. Who this helps: This benefits patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers working to improve access to care.

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This study examined three patients in Connecticut who use drugs and had unusual, long-lasting wounds from injecting substances. All three were found to have xylazine in their systems, along with fentanyl, and their treatment involved increasing their opioid medication to help reduce their drug use. This research highlights the need for better recognition of xylazine-related wounds and more comprehensive treatment approaches, which could ultimately improve care for patients affected by this situation. Who this helps: This helps patients struggling with drug use and healthcare providers treating them.

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This study looked at how blood samples are collected in a pediatric emergency department to see how often they get contaminated, which can lead to unnecessary hospital stays and the wrong use of antibiotics. Researchers found that out of 512 blood cultures, 33 samples were contaminated, making the contamination rate about 6.4%. They discovered that using an 'open' system to collect blood increased contamination by more than two times compared to other methods, and there was a 44.7% decrease in contamination from oral bacteria compared to the previous year. This is important because it highlights the need for better blood collection practices to improve patient safety and reduce unnecessary treatments. Who this helps: Patients, especially children receiving emergency care.

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This study looked at how doctors manage infections in the eye area of children who come to emergency rooms in Israel. Researchers reviewed records of 95 patients, finding that 70 had CT scans within the first 24 hours, with 21 of those needing surgery. The study showed that decisions on treatment were mainly based on the doctors’ assessment of the patient’s symptoms rather than imaging results, indicating a need for clearer guidelines on how to handle such infections. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors working in pediatric emergency care.

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The study examined a method called "feed and swaddle" for calming infants during brain scans for minor head injuries in emergency departments. Out of 281 children, 268 (95.4%) successfully completed their scans using this method instead of sedation, and the time taken was about the same for both techniques (around 85-86 minutes). This is important because it reduces the need for sedatives, which can be risky for very young children. Who this helps: This benefits infants undergoing brain scans and their parents by minimizing sedation risks.

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This research paper looks at fragility fractures of the pelvis and sacrum, which are increasingly common in older adults and require different treatment approaches than similar injuries in younger people. The findings indicate that non-surgical treatments, like rest and pain management, are effective for less severe fractures, while surgery is necessary for more serious cases. Improving care for these fractures is essential because it can help reduce pain, speed up recovery, and allow patients to regain independence. Who this helps: This helps older patients dealing with pelvic and sacral fractures.

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This study looked at how effective pediatricians and ear specialists (ENT doctors) are at removing foreign objects from children's ears in an emergency department setting. The research involved 333 children and found that pediatricians successfully removed these objects on the first try 82.4% of the time, while ENT doctors succeeded 96.1% of the time. When removing cases where a previous attempt was made, success rates were very close: 93.9% for pediatricians and 96.8% for ENT doctors. This matters because it shows that pediatricians can effectively handle most cases of ear foreign body removal, reducing the need for ENT consultations and complications. Who this helps: This helps children and their parents by streamlining emergency care.

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The research paper looked at how the number and quality of publications about health care quality have changed over the past 31 years, from 1989 to 2021. It found that while the overall number of articles increased significantly, there was a sharp rise in high-quality studies like randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews peaking around 2017, although these numbers have declined since then. This is important because better research helps improve medical care and patient outcomes, guiding doctors on the best practices to follow. Who this helps: This helps patients and healthcare providers looking for reliable information to improve care quality.

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This study looked at how pediatricians might rely too much on C-reactive protein (CRP) test results when deciding if a child has pneumonia. The researchers found that when doctors saw high CRP levels, they were 60% to 90% more likely to diagnose a viral pneumonia as bacterial and prescribe antibiotics, even though all other medical information was the same. This matters because it shows that CRP levels can lead to unnecessary antibiotic use, which can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Who this helps: This helps pediatricians and their young patients by promoting better decision-making in diagnosing pneumonia.

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This study looked at how often young children hurt their eyes after coming into contact with alcohol-based hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine children were treated for eye injuries caused by hand sanitizer, with some needing hospital stays of 4 to 11 days, but all kids fully recovered without lasting damage. This research highlights the dangers of hand sanitizers for kids and the importance of keeping them out of reach to prevent injuries. Who this helps: This helps parents and caregivers.

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This study looked at how long children keep antibodies after getting infected with COVID-19. Among 1,138 children tested, 10% had antibodies, but those levels dropped sharply four months after infection, especially in younger kids. This matters because it shows that kids might not have lasting immunity, which can influence vaccination policies and school safety measures. Who this helps: This helps parents and school officials make better decisions about children's health and safety during the pandemic.

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This study looked at how different racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. receive mental health treatment and how effective that treatment is, focusing on whether patients go to mental health specialists or their primary care doctors. It found that only 9.9% of White patients received mental health treatment, compared to 5.0% of Hispanic patients and 5.3% of Black patients, showing a clear racial gap. Additionally, people who only saw their primary care doctors had better mental health scores than those who only visited mental health providers, indicating that the type of care matters. Who this helps: This research benefits patients, particularly those from minority groups who may not be getting the mental health support they need.

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This study focused on African American individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and examined how depression affects their ability to stick to treatment plans. It found that over half of the participants (54%) had low medication adherence, and about 35% of them reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The results showed that younger age, being female, and having more severe depressive symptoms were strongly linked to lower adherence to medication, which highlights the need for mental health support to help improve treatment compliance. Who this helps: This helps patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who are struggling with depressive symptoms.

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This study looked at how rheumatologists in California understand and deal with depression in their patients. Of the doctors surveyed, 51% felt that at least half of their patients showed signs of depression, and nearly all (99%) said they bring up mental health issues during some appointments. While many doctors prescribed antidepressants or referred patients to mental health specialists, barriers like limited access to services and patient hesitancy towards mental health diagnoses made effective treatment challenging. Who this helps: This benefits patients with rheumatologic conditions who may also be struggling with depression.

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This study looked at the sexual health behaviors of Deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users, specifically analyzing data from 282 Deaf individuals in Rochester, NY. The findings showed that 30.9% of Deaf participants reported having two or more sexual partners in the past year, compared to just 10.1% in the general population. While condom use was higher among Deaf respondents (28.0% vs. 19.8%), testing rates for HIV were lower for some groups, particularly Deaf women (46.0% vs. 58.1%) and those with lower income and education levels. This information is important because it reveals unique sexual health risks and patterns within the Deaf community that may require tailored health services and education. Who this helps: This helps Deaf individuals and healthcare providers to better understand and address their unique sexual health needs.

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This study examined the genetic makeup of different rotavirus strains from humans and animals to better understand their similarities and differences. Researchers discovered that certain human strains, like the Wa-like rotavirus, are closely related to pig strains, and the DS-1-like human strains are related to cow strains. By classifying these viruses based on their entire genomes, the researchers found 27 distinct genotypes for rotaviruses, which helps track how these viruses evolve and spread. Who this helps: This research benefits public health officials and researchers monitoring virus outbreaks in both humans and animals.

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This study looked at the use of medications that are not officially approved for babies in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It found that out of 105 babies, 93% received at least one medication that was used differently than its approval stated, with 59% of all medications being off-label and 16% unlicensed. This matters because it highlights the challenges in treating very young patients, showing a need for better research and guidelines on how to safely use existing and new medications for infants. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare providers caring for newborns in hospitals.

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This study looked at whether using air or barium enema treatments for a condition called intussusception in children affects how often the condition comes back. Researchers found that out of 97 patients, 7.8% had a recurrence, but none of the patients who had surgery saw their condition return. The method of treatment (air vs. barium) did not show a higher risk of recurrence, so both are equally effective. Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors treating children with intussusception.

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This study looked at how hospital staff perceive patients' feelings about mental illness and the hospital environment, compared to the actual feelings of both patients and staff. The staff believed the patients had a much more negative view than they really did, with patients rating their hospital experience less positively than staff expected, but they were not as extremely negative as staff thought. Understanding these differences is important because it can help improve communication and care between patients and healthcare providers. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors improve their relationship and care practices.

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This study examined what factors influence how many treatment sessions patients from a low-income neighborhood attend at a mental health service. It found that younger adults, those with troubled relationships, patients who referred themselves for help, and those taking medication for anxiety and depression were more likely to attend more sessions. Understanding these factors is crucial for improving treatment engagement and mental health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Who this helps: This benefits patients and mental health providers in underserved communities.

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This study looked at why some people from a low-income neighborhood continue mental health treatment for longer than others. Out of 356 patients, factors like self-referral, younger age, unstable relationships, and issues with anxiety and depression were linked to longer treatment duration. In contrast, those who weren’t self-referred or faced financial troubles tended to have shorter treatment. Understanding these factors helps improve mental health support. Who this helps: This benefits patients seeking mental health care.

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This study looked at how receiving mental health treatment affects the number of medical visits for low-income Mexican American patients. Instead of seeing fewer medical visits as expected, researchers found that these patients actually had more medical appointments after starting mental health treatment. Specifically, the data showed a notable increase in medical visits when patients received psychiatric care, which suggests that mental health support might encourage patients to seek more overall medical care. Who this helps: This helps low-income Mexican American patients who may benefit from both mental and physical health services.