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FOAMed

Chest Pain Controversies: Risk Stratification and Stress Test Utility (Part 1)

2 Comments / practice updates /

Chest pain accounts for approximately 8-10 million healthcare visits in the U.S. per year and can be associated with a variety of benign to life-threatening diseases. Acute coronary syndrome is one of the major considerations in the ED. Approximately 20% of lawsuits are due to misdiagnosis and mismanagement of ACS and a large percentage of patients are admitted due to this risk. However, few admitted patients go on to be diagnosed with ACS. Although commonly used to help risk stratify patients in the ED, there is no evidence that stress testing decreases risk of future cardiac events. This post will examine chest pain risk stratification in the ED and the utility of stress testing.

Chest Pain Controversies: Risk Stratification and Stress Test Utility (Part 1) Read More »

“Dementia” in the emergency department: can you do anything about it?

4 Comments / Uncategorized /

Dementia versus delirium is an age old question in emergency medicine. Many studies have been conducted seeking a means of differentiation. First, is there a way to differentiate, and second, is dementia always irreversible? Dementia is often thought to be due to a chronic disease, but studies suggest 20-30% of dementia cases are due to a reversible cause. This post looks at these questions and more.

“Dementia” in the emergency department: can you do anything about it? Read More »

DIC in the ED: What can you do about it?

2 Comments / practice updates /

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a serious complication of some critical illnesses. Patients are very ill and can present with a multitude of symptoms. While treatment of the underlying illness is key, there are some key interventions that can be initiated in the emergency department (ED). This is a brief review of the the underlying pathophysiology of DIC and the interventions that can be initiated in the ED.

DIC in the ED: What can you do about it? Read More »

FOAMed Resource Series Part I: The ECG

12 Comments / Uncategorized /

Free Open Access Medical Education has produced a revolution in EM education, with hundreds of blogs and podcasts. FOAMed allows providers to rapidly stay abreast of the literature, while improving patient care. This is the beginning of a series evaluating FOAMed resources for learners, depending on subject matter. Today’s post will evaluate electrocardiogram (ECG) resources.

FOAMed Resource Series Part I: The ECG Read More »

Drug Rashes: Not always so simple…

2 Comments / Uncategorized /

Drug reactions are commonly managed in the ED. Approximately 90-95% of all drug rashes are “drug-induced exanthems”, or morbilliform or maculopapular drug eruptions. Widespread erythematous macules or papules appearing a week after drug exposure are usual. However, drug rash severity varies drastically. This post will cover conditions ranging from the simple drug rash to the deadly DRESS and TEN.

Drug Rashes: Not always so simple… Read More »

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