EMOttawa Podcast Episode 3: Thunderclap Headache
On episode three of the Ottawa EM Podcast, Dr. Rajiv Thavanathan (R5) interviews Dr. Michael Hale (R5), on the ED presentation and diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage in the context of the thunderclap headache. (Click here to access Podcast Main menu) Subarachnoid...
Delayed versus early initiation of renal replacement therapy for severe acute kidney injury: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials
Methodology: 3.5/5 Usefulness: 2/5 Gaudry S, et al. Lancet. 2020 May 9;395(10235):1506-1515. Question and Methods: Gaudry et al performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of randomized control trials to compare the benefits of early versus...
Medical Management of the Patient with Anorexia Nervosa
In this comprehensive guide, Dr. Tetyana Maniuk, a third-year FRCPC Ottawa Emergency Medicine resident summarizes the existing evidence on anorexia and eating disorders specific to the emergency department. Highlighting everything from signs and symptoms to watch out...
What you write matters! How your notes can seem offensive or judgemental to patients (and you didn’t know it).
Did you know that your patients could be upset with you and your care AFTER you see them? You’re wondering how could this happen, I was friendly, polite and approachable when I saw them. It turns out, in this new world of electronic medical records (EMR) with all...
Diagnostic Accuracy of Symptoms, Physical Signs, and Laboratory Tests for Giant Cell Arteritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Methodology: 2/5 Usefulness: 2/5 van der Geest KSM, et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2020 Oct 1;180(10):1295-1304. Question and Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 68 studies to identify clinical and laboratory findings that can help identify patients with GCA...
Breaking Down Medicine’s Hierarchy
There's a pretty standard hierarchy in medicine: Medical Student → Junior Resident → Senior Resident → +/- Fellow → Attending Similar to many things in medicine, this hierarchy stems from old habits and practices. In the ninetieth century, medical...
Intravenous alteplase for stroke with unknown time of onset guided by advanced imaging: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data
Methodology: 4/5 Usefulness: 3.5/5 Thomalla G, et al. Lancet. 2020 Nov 14;396(10262):1574-1584 Question and Methods: The authors evaluated the role of perfusion-imaging facilitated thrombolysis in strokes of unknown duration by way of a systematic review and...
An Update for the Adrenaline Junky: Refine Your Anaphylaxis Management
What chief complaint will you manage on both an adult and pediatric emergency shift? When you’re running through differentials for hypotension or shock, what life threatening conditions are on the list? When you think of airways that keep you up at night, scenarios...
Tick. Tock. It’s Time For a TXA Update
Tick. Tock. It's time for a TXA update. This blog post aims to arm you with the most up-to-date knowledge for the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in the ED. We will review TXA in the context of gastrointestinal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, hemoptysis, intracranial...
EMOttawa Podcast: CaRMS Gone Wild!
So what if we've only had one 'real episode', it's time for a bonus one! Dr. Rajiv Thavanathan sits down with FRCPC Program Director Dr. Lisa Thurgur, and Assistant PD Dr. Michael Ho to talk about the CaRMS process, and what they're looking for in applicants. ...