5 Questions for . . . Dana Sax
Kaiser Permanente physician researcher conducts studies focused on ways to improve how care is provided in the emergency department.
Kaiser Permanente
Division of Research Spotlight
The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research conducts, publishes, and disseminates epidemiologic and health services research to improve the health and medical care of Kaiser Permanente members and society at large. We seek to understand the determinants of illness and well-being, and to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care. Currently, DOR’s 550-plus staff is working on more than 350 epidemiological and health services research projects.
Emergency physicians correctly identify patients with lung blood clots who should be hospitalized
Kaiser Permanente study finds doctors use factors beyond risk stratification tools to determine if a patient can safely be treated at home.
Better outcomes seen in people with severe aortic stenosis who have scheduled common valve procedure
New research from Kaiser Permanente finds patients who need an emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement have greater risks.
Widely used triage method overestimates severity of a quarter of emergency department patients
A Kaiser Permanente study looking at the application of the Emergency Severity Index — a method commonly used to triage emergency department patients — found some imprecision, suggesting there may be an opportunity for the ESI to be updated.
Seeking the best tests for babies with fever
New Kaiser Permanente research suggests a national clinical guideline on evaluating infant fever may not be ideal in all health care settings.
Early antibiotics for sepsis supported in new study
A large multi-hospital analysis found that early antibiotics in sepsis patients resulted in improved health outcomes for them without posing unintended consequences for others, such as expanding overall antibiotic use or worsening antibiotic resistance.
Many patients with blood clots can go home from ER
A decision support tool implemented in Kaiser Permanente Northern California emergency departments in 2016 has continued to help physicians safely discharge patients with an acute pulmonary embolism to their homes without harmful effects, a new study shows.
Some pulmonary embolism patients effectively treated in primary care
Some people who get blood clots in their lungs may be able to skip a visit to the emergency department and be managed safely by their primary care physicians, a new Kaiser Permanente analysis suggests.
Teen suicidal thoughts and behaviors during pandemic vary by gender, diagnosis
The number of teens being seen at Kaiser Permanente Northern California emergency departments (ED) for suicidal thoughts and behaviors did not increase significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, though specific groups of teens may have sought care at higher rates during late 2020.
The findings were reported Sept. 1 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Emergency care for heart attacks and strokes rebounds
Kaiser Permanente study finds declines in heart attack hospitalizations and emergency care for possible strokes reported during onset of the COVID-19 pandemic not seen in subsequent surges.