Dr. Karen Chung and Dr. Arman Hussain discuss their distinct methods for preparing for intubations, aimed at junior learners. Chung emphasizes using a checklist, especially the SOAP ME mnemonic, for effective preparation. Hussain, a visual learner, prefers “disaster thinking” to prepare for potential complications during the procedure, enhancing his confidence.
Setting Up for a Successful Intubation Read More »
The article discusses treatment strategies for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and refractory hypoxemia. Key steps include optimizing mechanical ventilation, implementing prone positioning, considering neuromuscular blockade, and using inhaled vasodilators.
Refractory Hypoxemia Treatment in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Read More »
The article emphasizes the crucial role emergency medical programs play in managing injuries from crowd control devices. Highlighting the necessity of appropriate PPE and stress on scene safety, it details treatment protocols involving the P-ABCD²E method for managing effects of pepper spray, tear gas, and kinetic impact projectiles like rubber bullets. The essence of management involves supportive care and vigilance for severe respiratory or cardiac symptoms, ensuring thorough evaluation and quick decontamination to mitigate complications.
Crowd Control Devices – Initial Evaluation and Management in the ED Read More »
Take Home Points Michael West, one of my favorite senior residents (back when he was a PGY-4), wrote an incredible review article on the management of hypothermia with a particular focus on severe hypothermia with and without a pulse. I regularly find myself going back to this article in preparation for the Winter months, and
Hypothermia Recap and Resources Read More »
Phenobarbital may be a viable option for treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) as both monotherapy and in combination with benzodiazepines. Studies suggest that phenobarbital may be superior to benzodiazepines in terms of adverse outcomes such as ICU admissions. However, more research is needed to make definitive recommendations.
Phenobarbital: The Sobering Truth Read More »
Take Home Points Case A 20 year old male with no past medical history comes back from the waiting room in excruciating pain in his right flank travelling into his groin that started abruptly while he was at work about an hour ago. He’s never had pain like this before, and he is nauseous from
Picture This: Imaging in Renal Colic Read More »
Take Home Points Osteomyelitis is a diagnostic term used to describe the destruction of bone via inflammatory processes, often associated with pathogenic infection. Osteomyelitis exists on a wide chronicity spectrum, with variable treatment and prognosis. Acute osteomyelitis is generally used for symptoms < 2 weeks duration; chronic osteomyelitis is generally reserved for patients with symptom
A Bone to Pick: Diagnosing Osteomyelitic Foot Infections Read More »
Take Home Points Case “Any recent scorpion encounters?” What is the etiology of this patient’s pancreatitis? We’ll start with question one above. There are many causes of acute pancreatitis, but by far the most common that you will see in the ED are gallstone and ETOH associated. However the other major causes include: post-procedural (commonly
The Other Pancreatitis Read More »
Whether it’s someone who spent too much time bobsledding in front of the Capital (a tradition protected by the official rules of the Capital grounds!) or an undomiciled individual with severe hypothermia due to a night spent outside, unprotected in the freezing weather, GW seems to experience the full range of presentations. In this post, we’ll break this down into each stage of hypothermia and their treatments, as well as some pearls for each presentation.
CHILL OUT, BRO!: ED Management of Hypothermia Read More »
Most EM residents don’t get much of a primer on the two way radios used to communicate with our EMS colleagues. Let’s fix that.
Tuning In: An Intro to the Radio Read More »
