by emottawa | Feb 11, 2016 | Grand Round Summaries, Trauma
The principles behind spinal immobilization, including the utilization of backboards and cervical collars was derived from expert opinion in the 1960’s [1-3], and has never been subjected to a randomized controlled trial or high quality...
by emottawa | Jan 13, 2016 | Cardiology, Grand Round Summaries
Have a crashing Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) patient in your Emergency Department? Need some help? Want to challenge your residents? The following should help you in your bedside assessment and treatment of the critically ill LVAD patient. For a thorough...
by emottawa | Jan 6, 2016 | Grand Round Summaries, Resuscitation
You deftly sweep the tongue aside, slide into the vallecula, lift the epiglottis, and have a great view of the cords. You smoothly pass the tube, secure it, and walk away – a superstar. Meanwhile your nurses wonder “what now?” as your patient begins to wake up pulls...
by emottawa | Dec 18, 2015 | Grand Round Summaries, Toxicology
Acute alcohol intoxication and alcoholism are two separate and unique entities that we see regularly in the emergency department. As ER physicians, our role for the acutely intoxicated patient should focus on ruling out life threatening disease and ensuring their...
by emottawa | Dec 11, 2015 | Grand Round Summaries, Infectious Disease
Cellulitis and erysipelas – collectively referred to as skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) – are a seemingly simple entity to manage. Yet the burden of SSTIs and the complexity of this disease process may surprise you! From 1997 to...