Hospitals are always looking for ways to manage their resources better. One big challenge is figuring out how long patients will stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Too many patients can mean beds are full, and too few can mean beds are empty. This is where smart computers, or machine learning (M
Hospitals often use alarms to alert staff when patients at risk of falling try to move around. But do these alarms actually work? A recent study put them to the test. The study was a randomized clinical trial. This means patients were randomly assigned to either have an alarm or not. The goal was t
Forensic investigators have a tough job. They need to find tiny bits of explosives left after a blast. This helps them figure out what happened and who did it. But old ways of collecting these bits, like using cotton swabs or special liquids, don't always work well. They miss a lot of evidence, espe
Forensic science is getting a green makeover. Scientists have found a clever way to use waste chicken eggshells to develop fingerprints on tricky surfaces, even when they've been underwater. This new method is not only eco-friendly but also effective. Eggshells are mostly made of calcium carbonate,
Hospitals are trying out virtual nurses to fix their staffing problems. These virtual nurses use video and messaging to check on patients from far away. But a new study shows that this might not be the solution everyone hoped for. Researchers talked to 880 nurses from 10 different states. They foun
Forensic psychologists often deal with tough cases. They hear about violent crimes and see disturbing images. This can affect their mental health. It's called vicarious trauma. It happens when someone is indirectly exposed to trauma. A study looked at this issue. It surveyed 82 forensic psychologis
Hospital stays can be tough on kids, but one hidden danger is blood clots. These clots, known as hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism (HA-VTE), can be serious. To figure out how often these clots happen, researchers looked at data from multiple hospitals. The CHAT risk assessment model had alrea
Forensic science is getting a high-tech upgrade. Scientists are now using infrared thermography to measure the surface temperature of corpses and the surrounding air. This method is more accurate and easier than the old ways of checking internal body temperatures like the rectum or liver. The old m
Hospitals looking to boost morale and reduce burnout among their staff might want to consider hiring more nurses. That's the key takeaway from a recent study that found even a small increase in nurse staffing can lead to significant improvements in the work environment for both doctors and nurses.
Hospitals have always been on the front lines during emergencies. But recent events, like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, have shown that they are not always ready. Many studies before the pandemic pointed out gaps in how hospitals prepare for crises. These gaps became clear during the
