We’re familiar with sodium bicarbonate as a simple buffer solution, which has been utilized for a myriad of medical indications backed up by physiologic rationale and occasional moderate-quality evidence. It comes in two forms; vials (typically for infusions) and pre-filled syringes (pushed in cardiac arrest). There have been on-an-off shortagesRead More →
Journal Club Summary Methodology: 4/5 Usefulness: 3.5/5 Wang HE, et al. JAMA. 2018 Aug 28;320(8):769-778. Editorial: Pragmatic Airway Management in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. Question and Methods: This multicenter pragmatic cluster-crossover randomized trial compared initial advanced airway strategy effectiveness between laryngeal tube (LT) and endotracheal intubation (ETI) in adults with OHCA. Findings: The LTRead More →
In this post, we will aim to review the literature looking at identifying clinical and historical features that can help differentiate stroke mimics from strokes. We will also discuss the safety of the administration of IV tPA to misdiagnosed stroke mimics. This post will not focus on the recent developmentsRead More →
Journal Club Summary Methodology Score: 3.5/5 Usefulness Score: 2.5/5 Jabre P, et al. JAMA. 2018 Feb 27;319(8):779-787. Question and Methods: This was a multicenter randomized trial comparing bag valve mask ventilation with endotracheal intubation performed by emergency physicians in 2043 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in France and Belgium Findings: Their primary outcome ofRead More →
Non-purulent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs; i.e. cellulitis or erysipelas) account for up to 3% of all emergency department (ED) visits. Once the diagnosis of a non-purulent SSTI is made, the emergency physician must select the appropriate antibiotic agent, dose, duration and route (oral or intravenous (IV)). Current guidelinesRead More →
Syncope constitutes 1% of Emergency Department (ED) visits, and approximately 10% of these patients will have serious underlying conditions causing syncope (arrhythmia, MI, serious structural heart disease, pulmonary embolism, subarachnoid or severe hemorrhage). Alarmingly, half to one-third of these serious conditions will not be identified during ED evaluation. We previously derived theRead More →
Journal Club Summary Methodology Score: 4/5 Usefulness Score: 2/5 Karlow N, et al. Acad Emerg Med. 2018 Oct;25(10):1086-1097. Question and Methods: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of low dose ketamine (LDK 0.3 – 0.5mg/kg) vs opioids for acute pain management in the ED. Findings: 3 studies were included suggesting LDKRead More →
In 2018, CAEP endorsed the creation of a Wellness Committee, led by Drs. Roderick Lim (chair), Sara Gray (vice-chair), Louise Rang (communications), Lisa Fischer (secretary), Jada Fitzpatrick (resident representative). To conclude the Canadian EM Wellness Week, the executive of the committee has put together some reflections on the importance ofRead More →
Dr. Park is an Emergency physician and trauma team leader at Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver. She is also the Medical Director of the Regional Trauma Program at Vancouver Coastal Health, and a simulation instructor/enthusiast. Additionally, Hazel, a University of Toronto graduate in 1987, is a volunteer physician for theRead More →
Today, we’re fortunate enough to be joined by Dr. Ken Milne, also known as BATDOC, from the Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine Ken has an impressive social media reach, and has managed to become a successful emergency medicine clinician, researcher, an internationally known podcaster and champion of evidence based medicine,Read More →