Contributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: Normal Saline (NS) contains 154 mEq of both Sodium (Na) and Chloride (Cl), and has a pH of 5.5 Normal Na and Cl in adult humans are about 140 mEq/L and 103 mEq/L. respectively Excess negative charge resulting from hyperchloremia is managed via bicarbonate excretion leading to loss of…
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving EMM listeners, Mason here wanting to extend a special thank you to all of you for tuning in to our show. Today we are featuring a special episode on health disparities in the opioid epidemic and their intersection with the ER that we produced for the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative’s Compass Opioid Stewardship Program,…
Read MoreEducational Pearls: Most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in North America: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) From the emergency department patients should be connected to follow-up care and educated on vaccine series Most common non-viral STD in North America: Trichomonas Vaginalis While men may be asymptomatic, they can transmit the disease to women who may experience irritation…
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen,MD Educational Pearls: Recent study looked at mechanically ventilated patients in ED and ICU to determine if O2 saturation level impacted patient outcomes 2541 patients randomized to one of three target O2 saturation levels Low: 90% (Range: 88-92%) Intermediate: 94% (Range: 92-96%) High: 98% (Range: 96-100%) Outcome indicators Primary: Number of days alive…
Read MoreContributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: Gauge and length of catheter are determinants of flow rate Smaller gauges produce higher flow rate Longer catheters reduce flow rate Common IV gauges produce predictable rates of flow: 20 gauge = 60 cc/min 18 gauge = 105 cc/min 16 gauge = 220 cc/min Central lines typically have two…
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Monkeypox transmission is still occurring in the United States Transmitted by contact to exposed lesion MSM are a high-risk group for monkeypox infection Symptoms include rash and flu like symptoms Monkeypox lesions are often described as blister-like, firm, clear, and rubbery Most commonly develop on the face and/or anogenital…
Read MoreContributor: Nick Hatch, MD Educational Pearls: In the setting of traumatic injury, tranexamic acid (TXA) is given to stabilize clots which minimizes bleeding and decreases risk of hemorrhagic shock Current TXA dose for trauma is 1 g bolus followed by a 1 g infusion; both doses should be given within 3 hours from time of…
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Recent study evaluated if early exposure to an allergen impacted the rate of allergy development later in childhood Children were exposed to peanut, milk, wheat, and egg allergens at 3 months of age and then followed for 3 years 2.5-3% of children who were not exposed developed allergies to…
Read MoreContributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: The presence of a STEMI has traditionally been used to determine if a patient with acute chest pain requires urgent cath lab management STEMI indicates an occluded coronary artery, and urgent intervention is needed to restore perfusion to ischemic tissue Patients with occluded coronary arteries can present with EKG…
Read MoreContributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: In urban settings, it is becoming more common for police to transport critical patients from scene to hospital A 2022 multicenter observational study compared mortality rates in patients with penetrating injury to torso and/or proximal extremity when transported by EMS versus police Approximately 18% of patients were transported by…
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