Intravenous lidocaine for renal colic

Pain management in the ED has become a balancing act. EPs must continually balance adequate pain management with the risks of opioids prescribing. As providers reach into their pain management toolbox it is always nice to have as many options as possible because one size does not fit all. Specifically for the management of acute renal colic, IV preservative-free (cardiac) lidocaine has been gaining popularity as a potential alternative when opioids are unable to get job done or are contraindicated due to co-morbidities or a history of addiction. Is it safe? Does it work?

(more…)

By Alexis LaPietra, DO|2026-06-16T16:12:50-07:00Feb 14, 2018|Tox & Medications|

PEM Pearls: Pediatric Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral IV Access

Pediatric patients are not just little adults. Placing peripheral IVs in young patients can be challenging and comes with its own set of challenges. Presented are some basic and advanced tips to maximize success in establishing peripheral IV access in pediatric patients using ultrasonography.
(more…)

By William White, MA MD|2018-02-05T21:18:43-08:00Feb 7, 2018|Pediatrics, Ultrasound|

Ultrasound For The Win! Case – 64M with Fever and Scrotal Pain #US4TW

Welcome to another ultrasound-based case, part of the “Ultrasound For The Win!” (#US4TW) Case Series. In this series, we focus on a real clinical case where point-of-care ultrasound changed the management or aided in the diagnosis. In this case, a 64-year-old man presents with acute onset scrotal pain and fever.
(more…)

By Jeffrey Shih, MD, RDMS|2018-02-04T20:34:21-08:00Feb 5, 2018|Genitourinary, Infectious Disease, Ultrasound, Ultrasound for the Win|

Troubleshooting the Crashing Patient with a Tracheostomy

Patients presenting to the ED with respiratory distress and a tracheostomy can unnerve almost any provider, and management is often fraught with preventable errors.^1,2 This recognition has led to the development of treatment algorithms from groups including the U.K. National Tracheostomy Safety Project to improve the safety and quality of care for patients with tracheostomies.³ Use the ABC-Ts mnemonic to help you perform a focused tracheostomy evaluation and troubleshoot in a stepwise, systematic manner while waiting for your ENT consultant to arrive.

(more…)

By Puja Gopal, MD|2019-02-19T18:38:06-08:00Jan 31, 2018|Critical Care/ Resus, Pulmonary|

Infographic: Calcium Channel Blocker Overdose

Calcium channel blocker overdose can produce a deadly toxidrome that requires rapid recognition and intervention. Dr. Joshua C. Feblowitz, a PGY-3 EM resident at the Harvard-Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, created a high-yield infographic on the symptoms and management of this important toxidrome!

(more…)

By Joshua C. Feblowitz, MD, MS|2018-01-31T00:26:59-08:00Jan 24, 2018|Tox & Medications|

Infographic: Compartment Syndrome

Compartment syndrome is a true orthopedic emergency, and if you don’t consider it in your differential diagnosis, it can be missed easily! Dr. Katelyn Hanson, a combined EM-IM resident at Jefferson Health, packs the presenting symptoms, causes, and definitions into this flashy infographic. (more…)

By Katelyn Hanson, DO|2018-01-31T00:28:29-08:00Jan 24, 2018|Orthopedic, Trauma|

Infographic: Sepsis and Septic Shock

The definitions of sepsis and septic shock continue to evolve, but the management, including resuscitation and early antibiotics, remains a core skill of any successful EM provider. Dr. Augusto Saldana Miranda reviews these points, adding some parchment flare to his submission.

(more…)

By Augusto Saldana Miranda, MD|2018-10-28T21:28:00-07:00Jan 24, 2018|Infectious Disease|