Blog Incubator Experiment: Be the next big thing in blogging

There are many health and technology incubators out there, which help to build start-up companies into thriving and profitable organizations.

Why can’t we do this for those who are thinking about starting a blog? In 2009 when I was thinking about starting the blog, I had lots of support and encouragement. I slowly grew my readership by word-of-mouth and things really got going when the folks over at Life in the Fast Lane, Poison Review, EMCrit, and so many more graciously pointed their readers toward my site.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2017-03-05T14:18:34-08:00Jan 7, 2012|Social Media & Tech|

Paucis Verbis: Serotonin syndrome

Background

Serotonin syndrome is caused by the excess of serotonin and presents classically as:

Altered mental status
Autonomic instability
Neuromuscular hyperactivity

Fortunately, there’s a nice algorithm (Hunter’s decision rule) which helps you decide whether it is serotonin syndrome or not. I also include a table, which I adapted from a New England Journal of Medicine review article, which helps you to differentiate it from its mimickers, such as anticholinergic syndrome, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and malignant hyperthermia.

PV Card: Serotonin Syndrome

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Adapted from [1, 2]
Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.

A video to remind you what clonus looks like:

Thanks to Dr. Steve MacDade (Univ of Florida, Jacksonville EM resident) for the idea!

References

Boyer E, Shannon M. The serotonin syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2005;352(11):1112-1120. [PubMed]
Ables A, Nagubilli R. Prevention, recognition, and management of serotonin syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2010;81(9):1139-1142. [PubMed]

By Michelle Lin, MD|2021-10-11T15:32:25-07:00Jan 6, 2012|ALiEM Cards, Tox & Medications|

Trick of the Trade: Tie-over dressing for scalp lacerations

Scalp lacerations are apparently a hot topic these days. This is the third post now on how to apply a bandage to a scalp laceration.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2019-02-19T18:08:00-08:00Dec 20, 2011|Tricks of the Trade|

Trick of the Trade: Captain Morgan technique for hip dislocation

Relocation of a hip joint is often quite a sight to see in the ED. A commonly taught technique is the Allis maneuver (watch the first 45 seconds of the above video from the Medical College of Georgia). It has always seemed a bit precarious to me having someone stand on the patient’s bed.
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By Michelle Lin, MD|2019-01-28T22:23:16-08:00Dec 13, 2011|Orthopedic, Tricks of the Trade|

Paucis Verbis: Feedback card

Today’s Paucis Verbis card is a little different. This card focuses on helping you give talking points when giving feedback to a learner on shift. This could be a medical student or resident.

Dr. David Thompson (UCSF-San Francisco General Hospital) sent this great card to me and I thought it was too useful NOT to share. It’s handy on shift, which ultimately is the purpose of these Paucis Verbis cards. These are useful especially for senior residents, who are supervising medical students and junior residents.

This card can be used in many ways. For instance:

Print these cards and fill it out at the end of the shift. Give to the learner.
Pick 1-2 questions from the list below as launching points for your feedback discussion. You don’t have to overwhelm the learner by answering everyone item below. Sometimes less is more to be effective.

PV Card: End of Shift Feedback

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Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.

By Michelle Lin, MD|2021-10-11T15:37:33-07:00Dec 9, 2011|ALiEM Cards, Medical Education|

Video: Social Media in Medicine – What is it and why?

From LifeInTheFastLane.com‘s illustrious Dr. Mike Cadogan. These were the slides from his Social Media in Medicine talk at the recent USC Essentials Conference. It’s time more physicians get involved and join the conversations that are taking place on social media. Join now.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2019-01-28T22:23:01-08:00Dec 8, 2011|Social Media & Tech|

Trick of the Trade: Bandaging the scalp laceration

Scalp lacerations are one of the most common injuries which present to the Emergency Department. Applying a dry bandage over the staples or sutures can be a challenge because the tape just has nothing to adhere to.

We reviewed the use of tubular cotton gauze to create a beanie hat, but what should you do if you can’t find any tubular gauze? Ever since I wrote about the beanie hat trick, people in the ED have been using the tubular gauze more and we’re always out of stock whenever I look for it!

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2019-02-19T18:08:01-08:00Dec 5, 2011|Tricks of the Trade|

About Michelle Lin, MD

Background

PV Card: Serotonin Syndrome

References

PV Card: End of Shift Feedback