Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common diagnosis made in the ED that is considered a “do not miss” diagnosis. Pulmonary embolism is a spectrum, which includes massive, sub-massive, and low-risk PE. Massive PEs are managed with thrombolytics, and low-risk PEs are discharged with anticoagulation, however, the disposition and management of Read more…
Case: EMS brings in a 26-year-old male who reports he was stabbed in the back. He is speaking short phrases and complaining of a lot of pain on his right chest. Primary Survey: Airway intact, tachypnea with equal breath sounds bilaterally, strong pulses in all 4 extremities; GCS 15; small Read more…
Adapted from Morning Report by Chief Resident Rushabh Shah. Public fear regarding COVID-19 has caused the unexpected consequence of decreased ED volume in hospitals around the country. The much-needed breath of fresh air is appreciated, but fewer patients means fewer direct learning opportunities for EM residents. Here are some suggestions Read more…
Case: You are the senior resident working an afternoon trauma/critical care shift when a rapid response is called in the hospital. Shortly thereafter, an elderly woman with a history of metastatic colon cancer is brought to you by the nursing staff after losing consciousness while undergoing radiation therapy. Triage vitals Read more…
It is a quiet morning in the ED. I know it’s difficult to believe. The triage nurse rolls in a young patient who is screaming in pain. “Doc, doc, my n@&* are killing me!” You can’t help but start thinking about a differential diagnosis on your way to interview your Read more…
This is a co-post between The POCUS Atlas and The Original Kings of County. We shared our images and overlaid color for a comprehensive review of anatomy and how to perform point-of-care ultrasound for appendicitis. Author: Dr. Miguel Martinez Romo, with contributions from Dr. Roshanak Benabbas; Images: Dr. Sathya Subramanian, Editing/Colorizing Read more…
It’s another day at your local university hospital. You’re nearing the end of your shift and wrapping up your cases. Your mind is already starting to wander with thoughts of what you’ll do on vacation. Suddenly, you hear some commotion stir through the ED — TRAUMA CODE to the hospital Read more…
You are walking around the ED when you notice a man holding his right arm abducted and raised up above his head. He must be saying “hello”! You’ve had a tough shift, and it is so nice to see a random patient greeting you. Thirty minutes pass, and he is Read more…
A 28-year-old obese woman comes into your ED complaining of 4 days of throbbing, global intermittent headache. It is more severe than previous headaches she has had. The headache is associated with retrobulbar pain and transient loss of vision lasting seconds. The visual symptoms are exacerbated by standing. She denies fevers, Read more…
Welcome to Wednesday Wrap Up! Here is a summary of what we learned in conference today: