AIR Series: Infectious Disease, Hematology, Oncology 2014

Welcome to the first ALiEM Approved Instructional Resources (AIR) Module! In an effort to reward our readers for the reading and learning they are already doing online, we have created an Individual Interactive Instruction (III) opportunity utilizing FOAM resources for US Emergency Medicine residents. For each module, the board curates and scores a list of blogs and podcasts. A quiz is available to complete after each module to obtain residency conference credit. Once completed, your name and institution will be logged into our private Google Drive database, which participating residency program directors can access to provide access.

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By Andrew Grock, MD|2018-10-28T21:23:15-07:00Jul 16, 2014|Approved Instructional Resources (AIR series), Heme-Oncology, Infectious Disease|

New AIR Series: ALiEM Approved Instructional Resources

On behalf of the AIR Executive Board, we are excited to introduce the Approved Instructional Resources (AIR) series! The AIR series was conceived to provide a credible method by which an U.S. Emergency Medicine resident can receive academic credit for using Free Open Access Meducation (FOAM) resources. The Executive Board will release a list of high-quality FOAM educational posts and podcasts specially selected by our Executive Board, in parallel with the CORD residency training curriculum. We will have an accompanying quiz for each list and track who completes it. EM residents who complete the quiz can hopefully receive credit for Individualized Interactive Instruction (III) from their EM residency for training purposes.
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By Andrew Grock, MD|2018-10-28T21:43:12-07:00Jul 16, 2014|Approved Instructional Resources (AIR series)|

PV Card: Pediatric Ingestion Dose Thresholds for ED Referral

Clinical Toxicology has published guidelines for out-of-hospital management of 16 distinct overdoses and their dose thresholds, above which, pediatric patients should be referred to the Emergency Department for evaluation. Clinical Toxicology is the official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT, @AACTinfo), the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC, @AAPCC), and the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT). There are two caveats to be aware of regarding these guidelines.

They were developed between 2005 and 2007. New medications have been approved since that time and there may be more recent data available.
As with any poisoning, dose is only one factor when determining disposition. Consideration should also be given to intent, underlying medical conditions, co-ingestion of other medications, presence of symptoms, and drug formulation.

This PV Card summarizes the pediatric ingestion dose thresholds for referral to an ED.

PV Card: Pediatric Dose Thresholds

Adapted from [1–16]
Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.

Thanks to Zlatan Coralic, PharmD (@ZEDPharm) for his excellently detailed expert peer review and suggestions for revisions for this important card.

References

Wax P, Erdman A, Chyka P, et al. beta-blocker ingestion: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2005;43(3):131-146. [PubMed]
Caravati E, Erdman A, Christianson G, et al. Ethylene glycol exposure: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2005;43(5):327-345. [PubMed]
Manoguerra A, Erdman A, Booze L, et al. Iron ingestion: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2005;43(6):553-570. [PubMed]
Olson K, Erdman A, Woolf A, et al. Calcium channel blocker ingestion: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2005;43(7):797-822. [PubMed]
Dart R, Erdman A, Olson K, et al. Acetaminophen poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2006;44(1):1-18. [PubMed]
Scharman E, Erdman A, Wax P, et al. Diphenhydramine and dimenhydrinate poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2006;44(3):205-223. [PubMed]
Manoguerra A, Erdman A, Wax P, et al. Camphor Poisoning: an evidence-based practice guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2006;44(4):357-370. [PubMed]
Caravati E, Erdman A, Scharman E, et al. Long-acting anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2007;45(1):1-22. [PubMed]
Chyka P, Erdman A, Christianson G, et al. Salicylate poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2007;45(2):95-131. [PubMed]
Woolf A, Erdman A, Nelson L, et al. Tricyclic antidepressant poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2007;45(3):203-233. [PubMed]
Nelson L, Erdman A, Booze L, et al. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor poisoning: An evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2007;45(4):315-332. [PubMed]
Chyka P, Erdman A, Manoguerra A, et al. Dextromethorphan poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2007;45(6):662-677. [PubMed]
Scharman E, Erdman A, Cobaugh D, et al. Methylphenidate poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2007;45(7):737-752. [PubMed]
Cobaugh D, Erdman A, Booze L, et al. Atypical antipsychotic medication poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2007;45(8):918-942. [PubMed]
Caravati E, Erdman A, Christianson G, et al. Elemental mercury exposure: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2008;46(1):1-21. [PubMed]
Manoguerra A, Erdman A, Woolf A, et al. Valproic acid poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2008;46(7):661-676. [PubMed]

By Bryan D. Hayes, PharmD, DABAT, FAACT, FASHP|2021-10-06T10:12:48-07:00Jul 9, 2014|ALiEM Cards, Expert Peer Reviewed (Clinical), Tox & Medications|

Intraosseous Rapid Sequence Intubation

Intravenous (IV) rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is by most considered the gold standard practice for securing an airway in the critically ill. There are, however, scenarios where it may not be possible to get rapid IV access in a timely manner (i.e. severe cutaneous burns, hemorrhagic shock, IV drug users, and/or the morbidly obese). It has been reported that intraosseous (IO) drug administration has similar pharmacokinetics to IV administration, but there have only been a handful of cases reported using the IO route for RSI. In this post we will discuss intraosseous rapid sequence intubation and if it is a feasible practice. (more…)

By Salim Rezaie, MD|2018-01-30T02:33:28-08:00Jul 7, 2014|Critical Care/ Resus|

Anxiolytics and Hypnotics: Are They Doing Harm?

A patient presents to the emergency department complaining of increasing insomnia due to anxiety. She states that she is not actively suicidal nor homicidal but she has trouble “turning off her brain” at night in order to sleep and her insomnia is worsening her anxiety. She has a history of morbid obesity and smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day. In order to help you consider writing her a prescription for 5 mg of zolpidem as you presume it to be a benign way to deal with her current sleep disorder. But what does the evidence say about these drugs and the risks of harm? (more…)

By William Paolo, MD|2016-11-11T19:21:16-08:00Jul 2, 2014|Psychiatry, Tox & Medications|

tPA Administration: Don’t Forget the Leftover Volume in the Pump Tubing

Whether alteplase (tPA) is given for ischemic stroke, pulmonary embolism, or STEMI, there is an important practical issue to be aware of during administration. Dr. Charles Bruen (@resusreview) published a great step-by-step pictorial tPA Mixing Tutorial. Once the tPA is mixed, it will invariably be infused via a smart pump through its corresponding tubing. At my institution we use Alaris® CareFusion smart pumps, through the principle applies irrespective of which brand pump is used.

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By Bryan D. Hayes, PharmD, DABAT, FAACT, FASHP|2026-06-16T16:05:30-07:00Jun 23, 2014|Tox & Medications|

PV Card: Local anesthetic toxicity calculations

Local anesthetics (LAs) are widely employed to achieve tissue infiltration, peripheral and regional anesthesia, and neuraxial blockades. Despite their well-established toxic dose limits, these agents continue to pose a substantial risk of morbidity and mortality due to local anesthetic toxicity and overdose.

For example, LAs and epinephrine account for a large proportion of medication errors resulting in adverse patient outcomes due to drug dosing miscalculations or errors converting between units. Dosage calculations vary by patient weight as well as by pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of individual LA formulations. Further, non-standard units, additives (epinephrine), and varying concentrations among LAs complicate correct dosage derivations.

Toxicity nomogram

In an effort to curb calculation errors and avert LA toxicity, Williams and Walker derived a helpful nomogram¹ to calculate the maximum, weight-based volume of commonly used LAs (lidocaine, prilocaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine). This nomogram was validated against a calculator in the original article. Please note that while this nomogram may aid in dosage verification, there is no substitute for a second, independent derivation of the total maximum dose using a different method, as an additional safeguard to prevent dosage error.

Local anesthetic toxicity presentation

LA toxicity presents clinically as a constellation of symptoms including, but not limited to, tinnitus, circumoral tingling, metallic taste, and dizziness. Severe manifestations include altered mentation, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse. Management is predicated upon stopping the offending agent, providing supportive measures, and administering weight-based intravenous 20% lipid emulsion. The authors, Williams and Walker, derived a separate nomogram to guide treatment by calculating the appropriate weight-based lipid therapy, specifying the initial bolus amount, infusion rate, and total maximum dose of lipid emulsion.

Both the toxicity and lipid emulsion nomograms are displayed in this Paucis Verbis card.

Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.