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!
Effect of a Strategy of Initial Laryngeal Tube Insertion vs Endotracheal Intubation on 72-Hour Survival in Adults With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Randomized Clinical Trial
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...
Identifying stroke mimics in the ED
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...
Effect of Bag-Mask Ventilation vs Endotracheal Intubation During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on Neurological Outcome After Out-of-Hospital Cardiorespiratory Arrest: A Randomized Clinical Trial
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...
Factors associated with treatment failure in non-purulent skin and soft tissue infections
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,...
Canadian Syncope Risk Score – Duration of Cardiac Monitoring
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)....
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Ketamine as an Alternative to Opioids for Acute Pain in the Emergency Department
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...
Wellness Week – closing thoughts
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...
Wellness in Emergency Medicine: A letter to my younger self – Dr. Hazel Park
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...
Sandwich Generation – an interview with Ken Milne and nutritional advice
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...
You’ve got a friend in me: the Importance of Social Wellness & being a new parent
Despite what you might think when you initially hear the term, there is more to social wellness than having an active social life. Social wellness is the positive effect that friends and loved ones have on your mental and physical health.(1,2) Sure, spending time with...