We are excited to introduce the Sixth edition of The Ottawa Handbook of Emergency Medicine. Your bedside guide for approaches to various Emergency Medicine presentations.
Highlights of the Sixth edition include the addition of: Oncologic emergencies, approach to the pregnant patient, geriatrics and more!
Raising the Barb: Evolving Practices in Alcohol Withdrawal Management
In the ED we are certainly no stranger to seeing alcohol use disorder, its complications, and alcohol withdrawal. Every day in Canada, there are approximately 269 hospitalizations directly attributable to alcohol. This is more than admissions for acute MI. As the...
Diagnostic accuracy of the STANDING algorithm in patients with isolated vertigo: a multicentre prospective study (STANDING-M)
Diagnostic accuracy of the STANDING algorithm in patients with isolated vertigo: a multicentre prospective study (STANDING-M). Ronchetti M,et al. Emerg Med J. 2025 Nov 21;42(12):791-797. doi: 10.1136/emermed-2025-214902. Methodology: 4/5 Usefulness: 2.5/5 Question...
Comparison of inhalational methoxyflurane, intranasal fentanyl, and intravenous morphine for treatment of prehospital acute pain in Norway (PreMeFen): a randomised, non-inferiority, three-arm, phase 3 trial.
Comparison of inhalational methoxyflurane, intranasal fentanyl, and intravenous morphine for treatment of prehospital acute pain in Norway (PreMeFen): a randomised, non-inferiority, three-arm, phase 3 trial Simensen R, et al. Lancet. 2025 Dec 20;406(10522):2957-2967....
Beyond the Belly: Expanding your Aortic PoCUS
Most emergency physicians are comfortable with the standard abdominal aortic aneurysm scan. However, that approach only visualizes the abdominal aorta. By adding three complementary views you can better assess aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections. In this blogpost...
Efficacy and Safety of Pharmacologic Therapies for Nausea and Emesis in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-analysis
Efficacy and Safety of Pharmacologic Therapies for Nausea and Emesis in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-analysis. deSouza IS, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2025 Dec;86(6):646-658. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2025.06.009. Methodology:...
Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia by Emergency Physicians for Hip Fractures and Delirium: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia by Emergency Physicians for Hip Fractures and Delirium: A Randomized Clinical Trial Lee JS, et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Dec 1;8(12):e2549337. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.49337. Methodology: 4/5 Usefulness: 4/5 Question and...
Deferring Arterial Catheterization in Critically Ill Patients with Shock
Deferring Arterial Catheterization in Critically Ill Patients with Shock Muller G, et al. Deferring Arterial Catheterization in Critically Ill Patients with Shock. N Engl J Med. 2025 Nov 13;393(19):1875-1888 Editorial: A Less Invasive Approach to Intensive Care....
Beyond Weight Loss: ED Implications of the GLP-1 Era
GLP-1 receptor agonists have moved from niche diabetes therapies to some of the most commonly encountered medications in modern clinical practice. Drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide are reshaping the management of obesity and cardiometabolic disease, with millions...
Journal Club: A Crossover Trial of Hospital-Wide Lactated Ringer’s Solution vs Normal Saline
A Crossover Trial of Hospital-Wide Lactated Ringer's Solution versus Normal Saline McIntyre L, et al. Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. A Crossover Trial of Hospital-Wide Lactated Ringer's Solution versus Normal Saline. N Engl J Med. 2025 Aug 14;393(7):660-670....
Traumatic Brain Injuries: A (m)BIG Headache
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common yet challenging presentation in emergency medicine. As CT imaging becomes increasingly sensitive, clinicians are identifying more subtle intracranial injuries. The Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) and Modified Brain Injury...