The following summaries highlight newly published studies by the Department of Emergency Medicine faculty, residents, and research staff. Below are summaries of each publication for the month. While the publications may have multiple authors, we have chosen to highlight only the names of those affiliated with UW Emergency Medicine.
Last update: 3/3/25
February
Correction: Position Paper on the Physiology and Nomenclature of Dual Circulation During Venoarterial ECMO in Adults
Authors: Jenelle Badulak
Badulak, alongside an international team of experts, contributes to an updated position paper on dual circulation physiology during venoarterial ECMO. This correction refines previous terminology and clarifies essential physiological concepts for optimizing ECMO management.
You can read the full article on the Intensive Care Medicine website: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-025-07809-0
Ready, or Not? A Qualitative Study of Emergency Medicine Senior Residents’ Perspectives on Preparing for Practice
Authors: Max Griffith, Alexander Garrett, Bjorn Watsjold, Joshua Jauregui, Jonathan Ilgen
This study explores the perspectives of senior emergency medicine residents on their readiness for independent practice. Griffith, Garrett, Watsjold, Jauregui, and Ilgen analyze the challenges and gaps in residency training, offering insights into how medical education can better prepare trainees for real-world emergency settings.
You can read the full article on the AEM Education and Training website: https://doi.org/10.1002/aet2.70005
A Framework for Exception From Informed Consent in Trials Enrolling Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Graham Nichol
Nichol co-authors a framework outlining ethical considerations for exceptions from informed consent in clinical trials involving patients with STEMI and cardiogenic shock. The paper provides guidance on balancing urgent research needs with patient autonomy.
You can read the full article on the Journal of the American Heart Association website: https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.124.037946
Tracking US Health Care Spending by Health Condition and County
Authors: Herbert C. Duber
Duber co-authors this study on healthcare spending trends across different health conditions and geographic regions in the United States. The research provides valuable insights into cost distribution and policy implications for healthcare financing.
You can read the full article on the JAMA website: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.26790
Geospatial Access to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the United States
Authors: Nicholas J. Johnson, Anna Condella
Johnson and Condella assess the geographical distribution of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) services across the United States. Their findings reveal disparities in access and suggest strategies to improve nationwide availability, potentially increasing survival rates for critically ill patients.
You can read the full article on the Critical Care Medicine website: https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0000000000006607
Effectiveness of the Original Monovalent Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccination Series Against Hospitalization for COVID-19-Associated Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Nicholas J. Johnson
Johnson contributes to a study evaluating the effectiveness of the original monovalent COVID-19 vaccine in preventing venous thromboembolism among hospitalized patients. The findings provide critical insights into vaccine protection against severe complications beyond respiratory illness.
You can read the full article on the Journal of Infectious Diseases website: https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiae502
The Latest in Resuscitation Research: Highlights From the 2023 American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium
Authors: Nicholas J. Johnson, Catherine Counts
Johnson and Counts summarize key findings from the 2023 AHA Resuscitation Science Symposium, covering advancements in cardiac arrest treatment, post-resuscitation care, and innovations in emergency cardiovascular interventions. This overview highlights emerging research that could shape future resuscitation protocols.
You can read the full article on the Journal of the American Heart Association website: https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.124.037295
Analyzing Patient Perspectives With Large Language Models: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sentiment and Thematic Classification on Exception From Informed Consent
Authors: Catherine Counts
Counts examines how large language models (LLMs) can analyze patient sentiment regarding exceptions from informed consent in emergency trials. The study provides insights into ethical considerations and patient perspectives, informing future research protocols in emergency medicine.
You can read the full article on the Scientific Reports website: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89996-w
Blood Supply Challenges in a Denied Combat Environment
Authors: Michael J. Lauria
Lauria co-authors this editorial discussing logistical and ethical challenges in managing blood supply during military combat operations, with implications for emergency and trauma care in austere environments.
You can read the full article on the Journal of Special Operations Medicine website: https://doi.org/10.55460/JBW7-XZXA
January
Post-Resuscitation Oxygen Supplementation: Throw It Away?
Authors: Robert Klemisch, Graham Nichol
Klemisch and Nichol explore the role of oxygen supplementation following resuscitation from cardiac arrest. While oxygen is essential for cellular recovery, excessive levels can lead to oxidative stress and secondary injury. This editorial discusses the latest evidence on optimal oxygenation strategies, questioning whether traditional high-flow oxygen supplementation should be reconsidered.
You can read the full article on the Resuscitation website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2024.110485
Protest-Related Injuries During the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone Protest in Seattle, Washington, USA in 2020
Authors: Herbert Duber
Duber examines the nature and frequency of injuries sustained during the 2020 Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) protest in Seattle. The study provides a detailed analysis of trauma patterns, emergency medical response, and outcomes for injured individuals. Findings highlight challenges in providing medical care during large-scale protests and the implications for future emergency preparedness.
You can read the full article on the Injury Prevention website: https://doi.org/10.1136/ip-2024-045396
Association Between Neuromuscular Blocking Agents and Outcomes of Emergency Tracheal Intubation: A Secondary Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Andrew Latimer, Steven H. Mitchell
Latimer and Mitchell analyze the impact of neuromuscular blocking agents on emergency tracheal intubation outcomes. Their study provides critical insights into whether these medications improve success rates and reduce complications in critically ill patients. The findings have important implications for airway management strategies in emergency settings.
You can read the full article on the Annals of Emergency Medicine website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2024.08.509
Prehospital Ground and Helicopter-Based Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR) Reduce Barriers to ECPR: A GIS Model
Authors: Nicholas J. Johnson
Johnson explores how ground and helicopter-based ECPR can increase access to this lifesaving intervention. Using geographic modeling, the study assesses how different prehospital transport strategies impact ECPR availability and patient survival outcomes. The findings support the expansion of prehospital ECPR programs to improve cardiac arrest survival rates.
You can read the full article on the Prehospital Emergency Care website: https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2024.2355652
Effects of Local Hypothermia on Limb Viability in a Swine Model of Acute Limb Ischemia During Prolonged Damage-Control Resuscitation
Authors: Susan Stern, Nathan J. White
Stern and White investigate the use of localized hypothermia as a protective strategy for limb preservation during prolonged resuscitation scenarios. Their findings suggest that targeted cooling may help reduce ischemic injury and improve limb survival in cases of severe trauma and delayed surgical intervention.
You can read the full article on the Shock website: https://doi.org/10.1097/SHK.0000000000002496
Assessment and Mitigation of Bias in Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Analyses - IVY Network, September 1, 2022 - March 30, 2023
Authors: Nicholas J. Johnson, Vasisht Srinivasan
Johnson and Srinivasan contribute to a multicenter analysis of vaccine effectiveness, focusing on potential biases that could influence study outcomes. Their work highlights methodological strategies to improve accuracy and reliability in vaccine research, ensuring robust public health recommendations.
You can read the full article on the Vaccine website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126492
Diabetes Mellitus Is Not a Risk Factor for Difficult Intubation Among Critically Ill Adults: A Secondary Analysis of Multicenter Trials
Authors: Andrew Latimer
Latimer examines whether diabetes mellitus is associated with increased difficulty in performing emergency intubations. The study’s findings challenge previous assumptions and suggest that diabetes may not be a significant predictor of airway management challenges in critically ill patients.
You can read the full article on the Critical Care Medicine website: https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0000000000006460
A National Simulation-Based Study of Pediatric Critical Care Transport Teams Performance
Authors: Jessica Wall
Wall evaluates the performance of pediatric critical care transport teams using a national simulation-based study. The research highlights key areas for training improvement and underscores the importance of specialized pediatric transport protocols in ensuring patient safety and optimal care delivery.
You can read the full article on the Journal of Pediatrics website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114303
Removal of an Aural Foreign Body by Magnetism
Authors: Jonathan Ilgen
Ilgen details an innovative approach to removing a foreign body from a patient's ear using magnetism. This case study demonstrates the potential for non-invasive, low-risk techniques in emergency medicine, providing a practical alternative to traditional removal methods.
You can read the full article on the Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine website: https://doi.org/10.5811/cpcem.24845