Top 20 ALiEM Clinical Posts in 2014

By |Categories: Emergency Medicine|

Seasons greetings from the ALiEM. We have been expanding our range of posts in the hopes of sharing new lessons, exploring the concept of digital scholarship, and advancing life skills. Based on our recent survey, we understand that our loyal base of readers are those looking for clinical content. So here are our top 20 most popular ALiEM clinical posts in 2014. Did you read these? [+]

ALiEM Expert Peer Reviewed Posts in 2014

By |Categories: Emergency Medicine, Expert Peer Reviewed (Clinical)|

Last year, we launched a new initiative to bring on solicited Expert Peer Reviewers (EPR) for selected posts. These reviewers would need to have specific credentials, such as having previously published in a journal or textbook, presented the topic at a national conference, or have extra training in the area. In fact, we have added this as an required feature for all posts which have come through our New Submissions process. We wish to thank all our expert peer reviewers, who have kindly provided their open comments, which have significantly added to the educational value of the post. Below lists [+]

AIR Series: Psychiatry Module 2014

By |Categories: Approved Instructional Resources (AIR series), Psychiatry|

Welcome to the fifth ALiEM Approved Instructional Resources (AIR) Module! In an effort to reward our residents for the reading and learning they are already doing online we have created an  Individual Interactive Instruction (III) opportunity utilizing FOAM resources for U.S. Emergency Medicine residents. For each module, the AIR 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 database, which participating residency program directors can access to provide proof of completion. [+]

US4TW Case: 74F with Right Arm Tingling | Ultrasound for the Win series

By |Categories: Cardiovascular, Ultrasound, Ultrasound for the Win|

Welcome to another ultrasound-based case, part of the “Ultrasound For The Win!” (#US4TW) Case Series. In this peer-reviewed case series, we focus on real clinical cases where bedside ultrasound changed management or aided in diagnoses. In today’s case, a 74-year-old woman presents to the Emergency Department with painful right arm paresthesias. [+]

Esmolol Use in Cardiac Arrest

By |Categories: Cardiovascular, Critical Care/ Resus|

There is an abundance of sympathetic stimulation in patients who present in ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) whether endogenously released as a stress response or exogenously administered in a resuscitation attempt.1 The hope is that sympathetic stimulation will increase the coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure of the patient and aid in resuscitation. However, there are numerous detrimental effects associated with epinephrine such as an increase in myocardial oxygen demand leading to increased ischemia.2 Contrary to traditional teaching, interesting evidence exists in both animal models as well as in limited reports in human subjects that show a potential [+]

The Training of an EM Pharmacist

By |Categories: Academic, Tox & Medications|

At the 2014 American College of Emergency Physicians Scientific Assembly, ACEP passed Resolution 44, officially recognizing Emergency Medicine Pharmacists as valuable members of the EM team. Nadia Awad (@Nadia_EMPharmD) summarized the importance of the resolution’s passage on the EMPharmD blog. The role of an EM Pharmacist has been outlined by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). In addition, Zlatan Coralic (@ZEDPharm), one of ALiEM’s regular contributors, framed the EM Pharmacist as the ‘ultimate consult service.’ The intent behind this post is not to discuss the role of the EM Pharmacist, but to highlight the rigorous training process through which most [+]

Palliative Care in the ED – The Time is Now

By |Categories: Geriatrics|

“Don’t delay engaging available palliative and hospice care services in the emergency department for patients likely to benefit.” This statement was one of ACEPs 2013 Choosing Wisely recommendations. How palliative care can be effectively and practically integrated into the ED, and which patients are likely to benefit from it is still being worked out at many institutions.1–4 However, it is clear that the time for palliative care in the ED has come. [+]

ALiEM-Annals of EM Journal Club: Satisfaction Scores and ED Analgesic Medications

By |Categories: Journal Club, Tox & Medications|

This ALiEM-Annals of EM Global Journal Club features the Annals of EM journal club by Schwartz et al. entitled “Lack of Association Between Press Ganey Emergency Department Patient Satisfaction Scores and Emergency Department Administration of Analgesic Medications.” We hope you will participate in an online discussion based on the clinical vignette and questions below from now until Dec 5 2014. Please respond by commenting below or tweeting using the hashtag #ALiEMJC. In a few months, a summary of this journal club will be published in Annals of EM. On Dec 4, 2014 at 1300 PST (1600 EST), we will host a live Google Hangout with the authors Drs. [+]

Trick of the Trade: Pediatric video laryngoscope for ear foreign bodies

By |Categories: ENT, Tricks of the Trade|

It is near the end of your shift and one of the nurses asks you to see a fellow ED staff member’s nine-year old daughter who has accidentally put a foreign body into her ear. You go see her and the otoscope reveals a small shiny jewel within the ear canal however flushing does not work to get it out. Next you try using the otoscope, while exposing the ear canal and holding the forceps to grasp the object. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get your assistant to align the light, and the otoscope speculum is limited in view and access. [+]

Shuhan He, MD
ALiEM Senior Systems Engineer;
Director of Growth, Strategic Alliance Initiative, Center for Innovation and Digital Health
Massachusetts General Hospital;
Chief Scientific Officer, Conductscience.com
Shuhan He, MD