Lung Protective Ventilation

In our first part, we talked about the basics of mechanical ventilation and how to set up the ventilator for the busy ED doc! In part two, we discuss lung protective ventilation and go through a few cases to help solidify what we've learned. If you haven't read part...

Nailed it! A guide to Fingertip Injuries

A stable and functional fingertip is essential for sensation, fine motor skills, grip strength, and the overall durability and cosmetic appearance of the hand. Fingertips, often the first point of contact during daily activities, are particularly susceptible to...

Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS).. It’s Backkkk (Part 1)

In Fall 2023, I was working an evening shift at a community hospital when we got a patch. A 3-year-old girl was being brought in by EMS with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. CPR was ongoing, and their ETA was 10 minutes. We prepared the ED for the patient’s arrival....

Functional Neurologic Disorders

Note: This grand rounds presentation and summary had contributions from Dr. Anne-Marie Abe, a neuropsychiatrist specializing in functional neurological disorders in Ottawa.   Patients living with functional neurologic disorders (FND) have been deeply stigmatized...

Mechanical Ventilation Basics

Mechanical ventilation has a lot of nuance associated with it, but a lot of reference guides focus on care in the ICU. There is certainly a need for more practical application for the ED doc or initial setup of patients on the vent. With both ER and ICU experience,...

By the Hammer of Thora: Pleural Effusions in the ED (part 1)

Assessing patients with pleural effusions in the emergency department (ED) can be challenging and unclear. This is largely due to the lack of guidelines around pleural effusions in the ED. In this post, I’ve tried to highlight some key information about an approach to...

These are the ‘Roids you are looking for – Steroids in the ED

In the acute care setting, steroids have various usages and indications, but their usage can often be nuanced. From adrenal crises to septic shock, severe community-acquired pneumonia, and even acute pharyngitis, steroids play a pivotal role in managing a variety of...

Delirium revisited

Delirium is a medical emergency. It is characterized by acute disturbance of consciousness, with changes in perceptual disturbances and fluctuation of symptoms. Delirium is often the initial manifestation of an underlying acute illness and can be present before fever,...

Posterior Circulation Strokes

Posterior circulation ischemia accounts for approximately 20-25% of all ischemic strokes and is a significant cause of patient disability. The diagnosis can be extremely challenging as findings are often not typically focal. Posterior strokes are misdiagnosed more...

Stable Vaginal Bleeding in Pregnancy

A common Emergency Department (ED) presentation, vaginal bleeding in pregnancy affects approximately 30% of pregnancies in the 1st trimester and 1-2% in the 2nd trimester. About half of these result in pregnancy loss. Here we will use cases to highlight an ED approach...
Ottawa Handbook of Emergency Medicine

 

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! 

By the Hammer of Thora: Pleural Effusions in the ED (part 1)

By the Hammer of Thora: Pleural Effusions in the ED (part 1)

Assessing patients with pleural effusions in the emergency department (ED) can be challenging and unclear. This is largely due to the lack of guidelines around pleural effusions in the ED. In this post, I’ve tried to highlight some key information about an approach to...

Rotating Around the Cuff of Shoulder Injuries

Rotating Around the Cuff of Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries are a common yet complex presentation in emergency medicine, presenting a unique challenge due to the intricate anatomy and diverse range of potential pathologies, where imaging may not always be helpful. In this post, we will explore the various...

Is Shift Work Shortening your Life?

Is Shift Work Shortening your Life?

Social media headlines and evolving literature have highlighted the abysmal life expectancy of emergency room doctors. For example, Dr. Ken Milne, the creator behind The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine, recently shared this post on sobering life-expectancy data...

Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS).. It’s Backkkkk (Part 2)

Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS).. It’s Backkkkk (Part 2)

In case you missed it, in part 1 of this series, Dr. Zworth discussed the increasing prevalence of invasive Group A Strep (iGAS), the mounting public health concern, recognition, and diagnosis. In this post, we focus on management, the treatment of (strep)...

Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS).. It’s Backkkk (Part 1)

Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS).. It’s Backkkk (Part 1)

In Fall 2023, I was working an evening shift at a community hospital when we got a patch. A 3-year-old girl was being brought in by EMS with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. CPR was ongoing, and their ETA was 10 minutes. We prepared the ED for the patient’s arrival....

Drugs: the problem, the solution, the interactions!

Drugs: the problem, the solution, the interactions!

We all know medications can help us feel better and stay healthy but as we are all familiar, sometimes drug interactions can be overlooked and cause significant adverse health outcomes. Drug interactions are common clinical problems that can occur in several different...

Spinal Immobilization: a Twisted Tale

Spinal Immobilization: a Twisted Tale

For decades, "spinal immobilization", or spinal motion restriction (SMR) using backboards and cervical collars has been a "cornerstone of EMS protocols, aimed at minimizing secondary spinal cord injuries during trauma patient management. Originating in the 1960s, this...

Comparing the efficacy of intravenous morphine versus ibuprofen or the combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in patients with closed limb fractures: a randomized clinical trial

Comparing the efficacy of intravenous morphine versus ibuprofen or the combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in patients with closed limb fractures: a randomized clinical trial

Methodology: 3.5/5 Usefulness: 2/5 Nasr Isfahani M, et al. BMC Emerg Med. 2024 Jan 25;24(1):15.  Question and Methods: This triple blinded RCT of 158 patients with isolated closed limb fractures assessed pain scores at 1-hour following the administration of...

Mission Statement

World-Class Emergency Medicine: To provide outstanding compassionate emergency care through practice-changing research and innovative medical education. For more about our department, visit us at EMOttawa.

Categories

Mission Statement

World-Class Emergency Medicine: To provide outstanding compassionate emergency care through practice-changing research and innovative medical education. For more about our department, visit us at EMOttawa.

Categories

Archives

Subscribe to get updated on our latest posts!

Join our mailing list to receive the latest posts from our team (once a week only!).

You have Successfully Subscribed!