Mythbuster: Urgent dialysis following IV contrast?

Have you ever had to promise the radiologist that you would arrange emergent dialysis for your end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patient after receiving IV contrast?

This myth is even perpetuated in the field of nursing. In fact, what prompted this post was overhearing this very topic discussed between a nurse and a recent graduate nurse trainee.
(more…)

Trick of the Trade: Universal precautions for your iPad

 

iPadAnatomyscreeniPads are increasingly being used in medical education in a variety of arenas, including the classroom, the bedside, and small group workshops.

I recently taught in a procedures lab with unembalmed cadavers at UCSF’s new anatomy lab (on the 13th floor of the hospital with spectacular views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge). Everyone was gowned up from head to toe using universal precautions. But wait, what about my iPad? How can I use it to teach at the “bedside” about arthrocentesis?

(more…)

By |2018-10-28T21:48:52-07:00Oct 30, 2012|Tricks of the Trade|

Top 10 medical photography tips for a camera phone

A picture is worth a thousand words. 

My corollary to this statement is that a poorly framed or blurry image significantly detracts from its impactfulness. Plus, it just looks unprofessional. I have had to either retake or Photoshop-edit several photos submitted for blog posts. There have been many amazing photos which I decided not to use because of image quality.

(more…)

By |2016-11-11T18:43:22-08:00Oct 25, 2012|Tricks of the Trade|

Trick of the Trade: Avoiding a straight-needle needlestick injury

StraightNeedleYou are finishing up a successful subclavian line procedure. You insert the straight-needle suture needle through the skin to secure the line. When trying to pull it out, you accidentally poke yourself!

This is actually a common scenario for a needlestick injury. Although many central line kits now have curved suture needles, many still have straight needles. How can you avoid a needlestick?

(more…)

By |2019-01-28T22:11:48-08:00Oct 23, 2012|Tricks of the Trade|

Best place to suffer a cardiac arrest?

Where’s the best place to suffer cardiac arrest? Seattle? Las Vegas? Who’s going to give me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation? Will someone know how to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED)?

Where is the BEST place to experience a cardiac arrest???


As luck would have it, the best place would be at the ACEP Scientific Assembly. On the first day of Scientific Assembly, an exhibitor collapsed in the convention center without a pulse. At a conference with thousands of emergency physicians, several Good Samaritans immediately sprung into action. An attendee used a CPR mask while another operated an AED. They were able to revive their patient, where he is reportedly doing well at a local hospital.

Congratulations to Drs. David Pigott, Jared Shell, Jerry Edwards and everyone else involved on a job well done! 

By |2019-02-19T18:05:51-08:00Oct 17, 2012|Cardiovascular|
Go to Top