Contributor: Sam Killian, MD Educational Pearls: One study found that patients presented with headaches more frequently when there was high temperatures and low humidity, while higher humidity is correlated to lower incidence of headache. Moon phases had no effect on headache frequency. A Canadian study looking at over 100,000 ED visits for headaches found…
Read MoreEmergency Medical Minute collaborated with CarePoint Health in early March for a night of education on Pediatric Emergencies at a local Denver brewery for our latest Brewcast. Pediatric patients require special considerations compared to adults when receiving medical care, and that remains true for traumatic injuries dealt with in the ED and pre-hospital settings. Dr….
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Traditional teaching has shied away from using vasopressors through peripheral IVs Tissue necrosis from extravasation is cited as a risk of use of vasopressors through a peripheral site However, risk of extravasation is low (2-4%) and even more rarely results in significant complications Using an IV that is more…
Read MoreContributor: Don Stader, MD Educational Pearls: On average, smoking reduces life expectancy by 13.2 years for men and for 14.5 years for women Nicotine is highly addictive and has both stimulant and calming effects Having a newborn can be a strong motivator to quit so take advantage and educate new (or expecting) parents to the…
Read MoreContributor: Ricky Dhaliwal, MD, JD Educational Pearls: Topical anesthetization can allow for an awake intubation, which substantially decreases chance of loss of airway or respiratory drive because sedatives/paralytics are not necessary Lidocaine treatments like URO-JET (2% lidocaine jelly) can be applied through the nare followed by LMX cream (4% lidocaine) which should be applied to…
Read MoreContributor: Ricky Dhaliwal, MD, JD Educational Pearls: Tranexamic acid (TXA) as shown to have mortality benefit to patients with traumatic GI hemorrhage but should it be used to achieve hemostasis in atraumatic GI bleeding? HALT-IT study looked at TXA for the treatment of upper and lower GI hemorrhage and found no 5 day mortality benefit…
Read MoreContributor: Ramnik Dhaliwal, MD, JD Educational Pearls: Nitrates Nitroprusside: becomes effective in under a minute, and becomes ineffective 10 minutes after stopping it. Nitroprusside can metabolize into cyanide leading to toxicity, however this is rare. Nitroglycerin: predominately causes vasodilation but some arterial dilation as well; preferred agent in patients with volume overload/CHF Adrenergic Blocking Agents…
Read MoreEmergency Medical Minute collaborated with CarePoint Health in early March for a night of education on Pediatric Emergencies at a local Denver brewery for our latest Brewcast. Pediatric patients require special considerations compared to adults when receiving medical care, and that remains true in the ED and pre-hospital settings. As such, it’s important to be careful…
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Carbonated beverages have shown efficacy in helping patients spontaneously pass esophageal food impactions Glucagon, while historically used for treatment, has been shown to have significant side effects without any clinical benefit Definitive treatment is with endoscopy performed typically by a gastroenterologist References Long B, Koyfman A, Gottlieb M. Esophageal…
Read MoreContributor: Peter Bakes, MD Educational Pearls: Dental fractures are described by the Ellis classifications, which are based on the involvement of layers of the teeth: Ellis I: involvement of the enamel Ellis II: involvement of the enamel and dentin Ellis III: involvement of the enamel, dentin, and pulp While Ellis I injuries can be sent…
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