Journal Club - COVID-19 Therapeutics

/
Journal Club - COVID-19 Therapeutics

COVID vaccines have dominated the media and our recent efforts to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It will likely take some time, however, until we reach herd immunity. To help curb the severity of disease, the medical community continues to investigate other therapeutics. By examining the virus life cycle and our immune system’s response to it (both protective and destructive), we may be able to develop anti-viral and immune therapy that counteracts the cytokine storm and leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory failure, shock, organ failure and potentially death. In this journal club, we reviewed the use of steroids and convalescent plasma for the treatment of patients with SARS-CoV-2.

Read More

The COVID 19 Vaccine- what the front line provider needs to know

/
The COVID 19 Vaccine- what the front line provider needs to know

In this post and podcast we review mRNA vaccines and the Pfizer phase 3 study to help frontline providers answer some important questions- What is an mRNA vaccine? How does this differ from the traditional vaccines? Is it safe? Efficacious? We take a closer look at the recent NEJM article to help us come to a final answer on the most important question- Should I feel comfortable getting this vaccine?

Read More

Journal Club - Vasopressor use in Cardiac Arrest

/
Journal Club - Vasopressor use in Cardiac Arrest

Vasopressors are used in Emergency Medicine to treat cardiac arrest, hypotension, and shock. Recent studies have sought to investigate questions around timing, medication choices, and administration of these medications in varying clinical scenarios. The emergency provider must be familiar with the properties of, and indications for, vasopressors in the ED setting. In this journal club summary, we review the evidence on the impact vasopressors have on clinical outcomes.

Read More

From bad to worse: avoiding peri-intubation cardiac arrest

/
From bad to worse: avoiding peri-intubation cardiac arrest

Intubation in the emergency department (ED) can be a stressful endeavor. We are often presented with patients who have complex anatomy and tenuous physiology. Because of this, it can be hard to look past the critical step of securing the airway. Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) and positive pressure ventilation can dismantle patients’ physiology and contribute to an almost 4% rate of post intubation cardiac arrest (PICA). Is there anything we can do to predict or prevent this? In this podcast, Sam Wood gives us an overview of the literature to help us answer these questions.

Read More

Journal Club - Concussion Management…Brain Rest or Light exercise?

/
Journal Club - Concussion Management…Brain Rest or Light exercise?

Despite the widespread prevalence of concussions, little is known about its ideal management. The traditional recommendation for concussion treatment has centered around the concept of “brain rest” in addition to physical rest. There is little medical evidence to support this recommendation. Our journal club sought to answer whether some physical activity could actually benefit patients with acute concussion and additionally reviewed a study (completed in Maine) that challenged the belief concussions have long term cognitive effects. Read on to see what you think!

Read More

Sugar Is Bad For Kids- Pediatric DKA with Dr. George Willis

/
Sugar Is Bad For Kids- Pediatric DKA with Dr. George Willis

The management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children is full of difficult questions- how much insulin should I give? Who is at risk for cerebral edema? What treatments, if any, increase the risk for this dreaded complication? Which fluid is ideal? How much of this fluid should I give? We sat down with ED physician and endocrine aficionado Dr. George Willis to answer these questions.

Read More

"I have something DOWN THERE!"- Herpes in the ED: Diagnosis, Treatment, & What to tell patients

/
"I have something DOWN THERE!"- Herpes in the ED: Diagnosis, Treatment, & What to tell patients

They have something DOWN THERE... No surprises, it's herpes. But making the diagnosis is the just first of many issues and questions- how do you treat it? Will it come back? How do I stop from spreading it to other partners? Is there something I can do to decrease my number of outbreaks? All great questions we should be ready to answer. In this vodcast Dr. Leger reviews this disease and these important questions.

Read More

Not Just Drunk- Wernicke's Encephalopathy in the ED

/
Not Just Drunk- Wernicke's Encephalopathy in the ED

The diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy is an elusive beast. The classic triad of altered mental status, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia is, of course, anything but classic in terms of presentation. To make matters worse, the most at-risk population, the chronic alcohol misuser, often have these signs and symptoms for alternative reasons. In this podcast we discuss diagnosing Wernicke's in the alcoholic.

Read More