We are excited to introduce the Fifth edition of The Ottawa Handbook of Emergency Medicine. Your bedside guide for approaches to various Emergency Medicine presentations.
Highlights of the Fifth edition include the addition of: general surgery emergencies, pediatric orthopedic presentations, and updates in pediatric fever + more!
Navigating Twists, Turns and Tears: BCVI in the ED (Part 1)
Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) involves vessel injuries that occur from trauma mechanisms commonly seen in the emergency department: falls down stairs, motor vehicle collisions, and facial trauma. By identifying high-risk patients early, we can decrease the risk...
High-Flow Nasal Oxygen vs Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure: The RENOVATE Randomized Clinical Trial
Methodology: 3.5/5 Usefulness: 3/5 RENOVATE Investigators and the BRICNet Authors; et al. JAMA. 2025 Mar 11;333(10):875-890. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.26244. Question and methods: This multicentre, adaptive, RCT aimed to demonstrate noninferiority of HFNO vs NIV in...
Giving Feedback that Sticks and Receiving it With Purpose
The importance and efficacy of feedback as an educational tool is well established within medical education literature, with widespread consensus that it is essential for learner development.(1) Reflecting this, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education...
Test Characteristics of Emergency Medicine-Performed Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Methodology: 4/5 Usefulness: 3.5/5 Wilson SJ, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2024 Mar;83(3):235-246. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.09.005. Questions and Method: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of emergency physician performed point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for acute...
Fascia’s Back: The Supra-Inguinal Fascia Iliaca (SIFI) Block
Do you like Sci-Fi? You’ll love the SIFI! Since we're in May, Star Wars fans get to celebrate with “May the 4th be with you”, but we’re here to introduce you to an even better type of SIFI: The Supra-Inguinal Fascia Iliaca (SIFI) Block. (...we're well aware that we...
Liberal or Restrictive Transfusion Strategy in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Methodology: 4/5 Usefulness: 3/5 English SW, et al. N Engl J Med. 2025 Mar 13;392(11):1079-1088. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2410962. Question and Methods: This multicenter RCT assessed whether a liberal (Hgb≤100 g/L) versus restrictive (Hgb≤80 g/L) transfusion strategy...
Practical Management of Acute Hemoptysis
Disclaimer: there is little high-quality evidence on the ED management of hemoptysis, particularly non-massive hemoptysis. The recommendations made below are heavily influenced by published case reports and expert opinion, as well as discussions with local specialty...
Effect of High-Intensity vs Low-Intensity Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation on the Need for Endotracheal Intubation in Patients With an Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The HAPPEN Randomized Clinical Trial
Methodology: 3/5 Usefulness: 3/5 Luo Z, et al. JAMA. 2024;332(20):1709–1722. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.15815 Question and Methods: Multi-centre, randomized control trial to determine whether a high-intensity NIPPV strategy reduces the need for intubation in AECOPD...
Law and Order: Navigating Medicolegal risk in Emergency Medicine Part 2
In part 1 of this 2-part series on medicolegal risk in Emergency Medicine, we looked at two legal cases, with a primary focus on civil litigation and college complaints. In this section, we focus on risk assessment, documentation, and advice from lawyers and CMPA...
Law and Disorder: Navigating medicolegal Issues (Part 1)
On October 17, 2013, 27-year-old Philisha Sutherland was found at home by her parents—lethargic, weak, and slurring her speech. EMS transported her to Sault Area Hospital, where she was assessed by the attending emergency physician, Dr. Booth. Dr. Booth performed a...