ROTEM in Trauma: Blood is thicker with Wine – Part 2
In Part 2 of ROTEM for Trauma: Blood is Thicker with Wine – we will review the approach to interpreting ROTEM and how it can guide massive transfusion in the injured and bleeding patient. We will also touch on the practical considerations for starting a ROTEM program...
ROTEM in Trauma: Blood is thicker with Wine – Part 1
In this post, we’ll discuss viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHAs), namely ROTEM (Rotational Thromboelastometry), and how we can use this tool to enhance the care of traumatically injured patients. This is the first in a two-part series. This part reviews the Evidence...
Vector-Borne Illness: Lyme disease and Malaria
In part one of a two-part series on vector-borne illnesses, we seek to take a deep dive into Lyme disease and Malaria. For more on the other vector-borne illnesses, check out part two! The only helpful way to distinguish between all these illnesses is the...
Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography to Diagnose Dislocated Shoulders: A Prospective Cohort
Methodology: 3/5 Usefulness: 3/5 Secko MA, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2020 Aug;76(2):119-128. Question and Methods: Attempted to validated the use of a posterior PoCUS approach in diagnosing shoulder dislocations and assessing the adequacy of reduction in the ED...
Point-of-Care Echocardiography
In non-emergency medicine literature, cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound is termed “focused cardiac ultrasound” or “FoCUS,” and has been the subject of national cardiology and intensive care guidelines. It is used by emergency medicine, trauma, internal medicine,...
Ottawa Handbook of Emergency Medicine
The Ottawa Handbook of Emergency Medicine is a peer-reviewed resource designed to help you succeed in the Emergency Department. Developed for clerkship students, junior residents, off-service learners, nurses, paramedics and any other interested allied health...
The STI Cheat sheet
Here we present a STI 'cheat sheet' to commonly encountered STIs - their etiology, workup and treatment. The following recommendations are based on the Canadian PHAC guidelines. We will not cover the important aspect of taking a sexual history, but an excellent...
An approach to acute diarrhea
Does diarrhea run in your family? Ok, that one's bad, we apologize. There is significant practice variation when it comes to acute diarrheal illness - fortunately, there are some recommendations to help guide our practices, and in particular, when we should be sending...
Intro to the University of Ottawa – CCFP(EM) Program and what makes our program so great!
The CCFP(EM) Program at the University of Ottawa was the first of its kind in Canada. We are home to many national and international experts in research, ultrasound, quality improvement and patient safety, medical education and simulation. Some of the unique features...
Distilling it Down Part II: Optimizing Discharge from the ED
In part 1 of this 2-part series, we discussed diagnosis and initial management of alcohol withdrawal. In part 2, we discuss the role of the benzodiazepines on discharge, how to use gabapentin, naltrexone, and communication strategies to optimize discharge to help your...