It can be a challenge to differentiate NMS and Serotonin syndrome, careful attention to historical factors, a thorough medication history, and a detailed physical exam and neurologic exam is necessary to quickly diagnose these patients. This post details the presentation of each entity and highlights the differences between the two.
Read MoreFluid management in the Emergency Department (ED) is crucial in the adequate resuscitation of the acutely ill and decompensating patient. Patients present to the ED with hypovolemia secondary to a plethora of causes—some requiring IV fluid resuscitation and others requiring none. Considering the nationwide IV fluid shortage, judicious use of fluids is imperative. Thus, this begs the question, who really needs IV fluids, and can the patient simply hydrate orally? This article serves to briefly discuss IV fluids administration in the ED and the instances where they are not indicated.
Read MoreCurrent screening tools for pediatric septic shock and sepsis are highly specific but lack sensitivity. This study substituted age adjusted vital sign measures and a pediatric shock index into currently existing pediatric sepsis scoring systems to create the qPS4.When utilizing a cut off of ≧ 2 points, the qPS4 was highly sensitive and specific, and identified pediatric septic shock far sooner into a patient's course.
Read MoreThere is a wide variation in practice, particularly in obtaining neuro-imaging in patients presenting with vertigo. Many patients are imaged and subjected to a longer length of stay, and on the other side of the coin, some patients with serious pathology fall through the cracks. The authors of this study set out to create a risk score to apply to patients who present to the ED with vertigo which would identify the patients at risk for serious pathology (which they defined as stroke, TIA, vertebral artery dissection, or brain tumor).
Read MoreWeakness is a common, though sometimes vague, presenting symptom in the ED. Neuromuscular (NM) weakness can have various causes, ranging from common and relatively easy to diagnose conditions (such as strokes and trauma) to less common and more difficult to diagnose ones (such as vascular pathologies, infections, autoimmune diseases, and neoplasms). This post focuses on how to localize weakness to differentiate types of NM weakness and presents classic cases of diffuse weakness caused by three diseases.
Read MoreSepsis remains an increasingly common emergency department condition that is tied to higher morbidity and mortality across the United States as well as the rest of the world. Sepsis as a disease process has been difficult to both clearly define and quickly recognize. Many metrics for recognition and management of sepsis are dependent upon various scoring systems, including SIRS, SOFA, qSOFA, and MEWS, none of which were designed for the acute detection of sepsis within the emergency department. This journal club recap will look at an article by Knack et al looking at physician gestalt vs scoring systems for the detection of sepsis.
Read MoreIn patients with cirrhosis and ongoing bleeding, it can be challenging to determine whether or not patients are hyper or hypocoagulable. Traditional markers of coagulation status like INR can be difficult to interpret in patients with abnormal synthetic function and potentially increase consumption of coagulation factors. Can TEG (thromboelastography) be a helpful too in these situations? In this journal club recap, Dr. Grisoli recaps a recent article by Rout et al that addresses this issue.
Read MoreIn this journal club recap, Dr Sarah Moulds recaps a recent meta-analysis of papers looking at the therapeutic effect of TXA in patients with severe trauma. Are their higher rates of thromboembolic complications? Is mortality improved? This article by Fouche et al attempts to answer these questions.
Read MoreOut of hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) represents a great cause of morbidity and mortality. Approximately 350,000 cardiac arrests occur in North America annually and 20% can be attributed to Ventricular tachydysrhythmias (i.e. ventricular tachycardia [v fib] and ventricular tachycardia [v tach]without a pulse). In this journal club recap, Dr Kelly Tillotson recaps an article comparing different ways of defibrillation and their effect on outcomes in OOHCA
Read MoreCan clean gloves (those in the box in the room) be used safely during the repair of traumatic lacerations in the ED? Should we break open the package of sterile gloves each time? This Journal Club recap covers a recent paper examining the use of clean vs sterile gloves for wound repair in the ED.
Read MoreSepsis is a leading cause of mortality for hospitalized patient’s both worldwide and in the United States. The surviving sepsis guidelines weakly recommend invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring (IABP) over noninvasive blood pressure monitoring (NIBP) with a blood pressure cuff supported by low quality evidence.(1) Data comparing the accuracy between IABP and NIBP measurements are limited. The largest analysis of 736 critically ill patients found a mean difference of 1 mmHg which was not statistically significant, however, there was only one measurement recorded per patient.(2) Arterial lines have several drawbacks compared with non-invasive methods such as: training requirements for caregivers, potential for pain and increased pain medications, limitation of participation in physical therapy, risk of digital ischemia, and risk of iatrogenic infection.(3) In this journal club recap, we analyze an article looking at the relationship between invasive arterial line blood pressure readings and non-invasive cuff measurements.
Read MoreA hernia is described as, “the abnormal protrusion of abdominal contents through a defect involving the normal confines of the abdominal compartments” (9). It often involves a portion of the intestine protruding through a weak point of the abdominal wall. The location and size of the hernia often determines the symptoms and complications that a patient will present with.
There are several risk factors that make developing a hernia more likely. Older patients and those who have had prior abdominal surgery may have weaker abdominal muscles or connective tissue which would make it easier for a hernia to develop. In addition, if there is increased abdominal pressure, such as patients with obesity, or those who participate frequently in weightlifting, this is another factor that may put someone at a higher risk of developing a hernia. Finally, those with poor wound healing, such as people who smoke often or patients with diabetes, may be at risk for incisional hernias. (6)
Read MoreCan the addition of high-dose methylprednisolone to the treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest make a meaningful difference? In this post-hoc analysis of a placebo-controlled randomized control trial comparing high-dose methylprednisolone versus placebo in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), the authors aimed to assess the hemodynamic effects of prehospital high-dose glucocorticoid treatment in resuscitated comatose OHCA patients.
Read MoreWith the advent of fast-acting subcutaneous insulin analogs over the past 20 years, multiple studies have demonstrated that subcutaneous insulin protocols for treatment for treatment of mild-to-moderate severity DKA are safe and cost-effective when compared to intravenous insulin infusion protocols in non-ICU settings. In the context of increasing ED and hospital crowding as well as limited ICU availability, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of a subcutaneous insulin (SQuID) protocol in the treatment of DKA on emergency department length-of-stay (EDLOS) and ICU admissions
Read MoreReplacing gastrostomy tubes that have fallen out or are no longer functioning is a common procedure in the Emergency Department. Often, these replacements are smooth and easy. There are times however when the replacement process can get complicated with the need to dilate quickly stenosing tracts and/or the need to consult a sub specialist to assist with replacement. This post covers the key historical factors to gather on these patients and the basics steps in replacing the tubes.
Read MoreSRU (pronounced "shrew") = Shock Resuscitation Unit
Training in, and managing, the SRU is one of the crown jewels of our residency. It is where the sickest of the sick patients are found in our ED. It is a crucible, a test of knowledge and strength, and a true manifestation of the tripartite mission of our department: Leadership, Excellence, and Opportunity.
Training in, and managing, the SRU is one of the crown jewels of our residency. It is where the sickest of the sick patients are found in our ED. It is a crucible, a test of knowledge and strength, and a true manifestation of the tripartite mission of our department: Leadership, Excellence, and Opportunity.
