Category Name: practice updates

practice updates

Update on the management of skin abscesses in the emergency department

Abscess is a common presenting complaint in the emergency department. Most abscesses can be managed with simple incision and drainage. Is there an alternative to I & D? What are some indications to consult a surgeon for drainage in the operating room? And when should antibiotics be prescribed? This post will explore current topics in management of abscess in the emergency department.

practice updates

The Dangers of Over-Resuscitation in Sepsis

In previous discussions, we have addressed that IV fluid choices affect patient outcomes in septic shock, and we have shown the evidence that invasive monitoring coupled with aggressive treatments are actually harming our patients. The question we now face is what is the result of over-resuscitation?

practice updates

CORE EM: Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissection may occur in any location along the aorta and therefore the range of presentations is broad. Many AD patients do not fit the textbook presentation.

practice updates

Interpreting Waveform Capnography: Pearls and Pitfalls

How do you interpret quantitative capnography waveforms? We own the resuscitation of critically ill patients, and with boarding increasing in EDs, we need to know how to interpret waveforms. This instrument can provide a great deal of important information if properly understood.

practice updates

Controversies of Thrombolytics for Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a disease process associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The benefits of thrombolytics for massive PE has been established in the literature. But what does the evidence say about the use of thrombolytics for submassive PE? What are the current guidelines and ...

FOAMED

Pneumonia Mimics: Pearls and Pitfalls

Pneumonia is an illness frequently seen in our emergency departments. But, are all presentations actually pneumonia? Are we missing other illnesses that present similarly to pneumonia? Which ones pose significant morbidity and mortality risk to our patients? What clues are out there that will aid us in making an alternative and critical diagnosis?

practice updates

Traversing Transverse Myelitis

We all place transverse myelitis on our broad differential of acute and dangerous causes of back pain in the emergency department. However, given the rarity of this condition and the rarity of when we make the diagnosis even when present, let's take a deeper look into this condition and determine what the emergency physician must know.