Many clinical decision rules exclude elderly patients from the derivation cohorts. So the question remains unanswered do all elderly patients need cervical spine CTs in the setting of trauma? What if they have no symptoms? This recap of a journal club article explores the incidence of significant cervical spine fractures in elderly patients.
Read MoreIt is well known that ultrasound has exploded in its application in both diagnostics and procedures and has ultimately revolutionized the way we practice medicine. With its growing use, more and more providers are comfortable using ultrasound for both identification of anatomy/pathology and to guide procedures that were previously only done with landmarks. While having the skills to perform landmark guided procedures is incredibly important, there is much value in being able to visually confirm anatomy to avoid procedure complications, especially when landmarks are difficult to palpate / identify in certain individuals. This recap of a recent journal club article covers a paper looking into the use of POCUS to help perform cricothyrotomy.
Read MoreMore than 1.5 million critically ill adults undergo tracheal intubation each year in the United States. Hypoxemia is a common and serious complication during tracheal intubation in critically ill adults, occurring up to 10-20% of intubations in the emergency department (ED) or intensive care unit (ICU). Hypoxemia increases the risk of cardiac arrest and death. The effect of preoxygenation with noninvasive ventilation, as compared with preoxygenation with an oxygen mask, on the incidence of hypoxemia during tracheal intubation is uncertain. In this breakdown of a Journal Club article, Dr de Castro will cover a recent paper comparing NIPPV to oxygen mask only during preoxygenation for intubation.
Read MoreJoin Dr Haupt as she discusses the adrenal glands, their role in hormone production and other functions throughout the body, and common problems that can occur when the adrenal glands are not working properly. Although most of these issues are non emergent problems, occasionally they will be seen in some sort of acute adrenal crisis in the emergency department and ER physicians should be well versed in their often subtle presentations!
Read MoreWe know that the d-dimer can be a helpful test for patients who have a low pre-test probability of pulmonary embolism. But can the test be pushed into use for higher risk patients? Will it still have useful negative predictive value or will we risk missing too many PEs?
Read MoreEsophageal food impaction (EFI) occurs at an estimated rate of 13 episodes per 100,000 people annually. Medical management is typically attempted before resorting to endoscopy to reduce procedural risks and resource use. Glucagon remains the most widely used medication. Other treatments include carbonated beverages, benzodiazepines, and, more recently, nitroglycerin. Despite glucagon being the most commonly used agent, its supporting data are limited to small studies or case reports. One older study showing over 60% efficacy lacked a comparator group and had multiple confounders. Another study suggested only minimal benefit and significant adverse effects—up to 50% vomiting—highlighting the need for better treatment options.
Read MoreAnother week, another great Grand Rounds! First, Dr. Lang takes us through the evidence behind our common treatment of low back pain. Next, Drs. Boyer and Segev give us a evidence guided management of the acutely ischemic limb. Next, Dr. Hajdu takes us through a difficult case of cardiac arrest in the ED. Finally, we learn all about infections of the pelvis and perineum with Dr. Guay!
Read MoreIt 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 MoreWelcome to another week of Grand Rounds! Join us for Sports Medicine Grand Rounds, where he discuss cases from the training room, followed by a discussion on rabies prophylaxis. Two of our wonderful R2s gave their QI/KT on acetaminophen overdose, then we had a review of landmark studies in Emergency Medicine. We had an R4 discharge/transfer/treat case discussion, and ended the day with a pediatrics lecture!
Read MoreAnother week, another Grand Rounds! Dr. Boggust took us through the basic of management of patients with Multiple Sclerosis in the ED. Then, Dr. Grisoli presented her Capstone on the treatment and care of patients with disabilities. Finally, Dr. Minges and the rest of the ultrasound team discussed MSK ultrasounds, with hands on session for the most frequent upper and lower extremity scans!
Read MoreJoin us for another great week of Grand Rounds! We started out with a great discussion of the changing workforce and how the differences between generations and leadership styles impacts our interactions with our colleagues. Then we discussed the nuances of managing a dysfunctional tracheostomy with Dr. Adan. We were taken through the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of patients with pneumomediastinum and mediastinitis with Dr. Valles. Finally, Drs. Artiga, Beyde and Vaishnav gave us hands on practice with the different types of nerve blocks that can be used in the ED!
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 MoreJoin us for another exciting week of Grand Rounds! This week, we had Morbidity and Mortality conference with Dr. Gobble. This was followed by CPC with Drs. Qin and Bryant. Next, Dr. Wilson walked us through a case of methoglobinemia caused by sodium nitrite toxicity. We finished up the day with Dr. Wright’s capstone on rural emergency medicine.
Read MoreJoin us for another exciting week of Grand Rounds! This week, we had Research and Peer Review Basics with Dr. Freiermuth, Pediatric airway cases, hand injuries and how we can better ensure a safe discharge in trauma
Read MoreJoin us for another exciting week of Grand Rounds! This week, we had Morbidity and Mortality conference where we learned about posterior hip dislocations, hypertensive emergency, subacute combined degeneration secondary to nitrous oxide use, spinal epidural abscesses, small bowel obstructions, management of agitation in the Emergency Department, and status epilepticus. This was followed up by an R3 Taming the SRU lecture on high-grade heart block and transvenous pacemakers and a discussion on finding your niche in academic emergency medicine. We had an exciting R2 CPC case of acute salicylate toxicity, followed by intern core content with a discussion of penile disorders and urologic emergencies, and ended the day with Dr. Sobocinski's R4 capstone.
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.
