This week we have seen some interesting uses of naloxone in the Sinai ED, so let’s review: Naloxone for pruritis? Why yes. Several randomized controlled trials have shown Naloxone to be efficacious in all sorts of pruritic conditions – chro…
We are all familiar with the RUSH exam (see Dr. Weingart’s original article if you’re not). Since it’s been a recurring theme this week, we are going to focus on the IVC measurement of the spontaneously breathing patient. This will not be a…
Name that fracture, ideal imaging modality, and treatment including indication for operative repair: That would be a classic scaphoid fracture. It should ideally be imaged first with a three-view x-ray (AP, lateral, and scaphoid view – 30 d…
As we discussed yesterday, the treatment algorithm for DKA is fairly straightforward with a few subtleties we rarely appreciate, until now. Yesterday we focused on fluids, today we move on to the insulin. Can we offer the patient anything e…
Last week, we closed out the week by discussing the dischargable, ‘benign sugars,’ but what about when you have the legit ‘sugars.’ We’re talking about DKA. While the algorithm for DKA is fairly straight forward – fluids, insulin, replete l…
Inspired by Dr. Schuberg’s outstanding procedural skillz this week, I present the thoracentesis: Indications: Suspected pleural space infection, new effusion without diagnosis, and relief of dyspnea caused by large effusion Contraindication…
Before answering that question, I need to acknowledge EM topics (http://www.emtopics.com/article-a-day/2016/discharge-glucose-level-is-not-associated-with-return-to-ed) for bringing this important article to my attention since this is nearl…
We are all too familiar with tachypnic and the occasional bradypnic patient (i.e. narcan deficient) rolling through resus, but rarely do we come across platypnic and orthodeoxic (except for yesterday). In order to come across them, you need…
Intubating a patient with a suspected head bleed is one of the highest risk situations we encounter as ED physicians. A failed attempt with enough airway manipulation can potentially increase ICP and have profound negative effects on patien…