Fentanyl: Adding Fuel to the Fire in the North American Opioid Epidemic
Drug poisoning is now the leading cause of injury death in the United States,1 with opioids accounting for up to 40% of these deaths. In the U.S., prescription opioid death rates have more than quadrupled since 1999, and death rates exceed those due to motor vehicle crashes.2 Similar trends in opioid exposure and death rates in Canada suggest that it is not far behind. Prescriptions for opioid analgesics paralleled a rise in opioid abuse and fatalities between 2002 and 2010, leveling off between 2011 and 2013,3 only to rise again in 2014.4 Among the more frequently misused opioids nationwide are oxycodone and hydrocodone (the most widely [+]
How I Podcast Smarter: Workflow
You’ve got all your shiny new gear ready to go, but how do you turn all that steel and cabling into podcast goodness? Our 9 expert EM podcaster (@FOAMpodcast, @srrezaie, @TheSGEM, @stemlyns, @embasic, @Core_EM, @EM_Educator, @EMtogether, @EMCases) plus a 10th new addition, Dr. Rob Orman (@emergencypdx) of ER Cast and EM:RAP fame, share their system for getting from idea to published podcast. Lets take a peek behind the acoustic foam board at podcasting workflows. [+]
I am Dr. Graham Walker, Co-Creator of MDCalc: How I Stay Healthy in EM
Dr. Graham Walker (@mdcalc) is a physician that truly advocates for balance and wellness. He is currently an emergency physician practicing in San Francisco. Despite multiple work commitments and an active involvement with several successful start-ups, he still finds time to engage in his interests, keep fit, and stay well. From taking it to the next level at Bootcamp, to ensuring the day is infused with laughter, Dr. Walker is always taking the time to build on his personal wellness. He’s definitely got some great pearls you’ll want to know about. Here’s how he stays healthy in EM! [+]
MEdIC Series | The Case of the Catastrophic Classroom – #CORDaa16 Edition
This ALiEM MEdIC series is part of a very special event! In a few days in Nashville, TN the ALiEM Design Fellows (Dr. Catherine Patocka & Dr. Jeremy Voros) and I will be joining forces with CORD’s Dr. Rob Cooney to organize a special Design Thinking Hackathon. This workshop will take place at CORD’s 2016 Academic Assembly, which is only a few days away. We are very excited that our Design fellows team will be helping to introduce people to the world of Design Thinking! During our session we will be challenging a group Emergency Medicine educators from all across the [+]
Podcasts: Pearls on Networking, Early Academic Career, and Part Time Academics in the AWAEM Professional Development Series
For those early in their academic medical career, it can be challenging to find solid, trustworthy advice on how to navigate the perils of academia. Fortunately, The Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM) has published a series of video-based Peer Reviewed Lectures (PeRLs) in the Academic Emergency Medicine journal. Thanks to the journal, we were given permission to repurpose some of of the videos into podcast form. Take a listen to these short, abridged, high-yield podcasts for those pursuing an academic career. [+]
60 Second Soapbox: Bafuma (IV Antibiotics), Favot (Nod and Smile), & Augustine (Medical Travel)
Get ready for another round of 60-Second Soapbox! Each episode, one lucky individual gets exactly 1 minute to present their rant-of-choice to the world. Any topic is on the table – clinical, academic, economic, or whatever else may interest an EM-centric audience. We carefully remix your audio to add an extra splash of drama and excitement. Even more exciting, participants get to challenge 3 of their peers to stand on a soapbox of their own! [+]
How I Podcast Smarter: The Gear
We are back this week with a new “Working Smarter” mini-series on Podcasting. An increasing number of individuals and residency programs are starting podcasts, but it’s not always obvious how to get started. What hardware is needed? What’s the workflow? What are the pitfalls? To help answer these questions we picked the brains of 9 star Emergency Medicine podcasters (@FOAMpodcast, @srrezaie, @TheSGEM, @stemlyns, @embasic, @Core_EM, @EM_Educator, @EMtogether, @EMCases) and asked them to share their secrets. From dead simple set-ups to semi-professional studios, you’ll learn from veterans how to get your voice out to the public, and do it well. In this [+]
ALiEM Chief Resident Incubator Must Read EM Journal Articles – 2016 Edition
In November 2013, the blog post 52 Articles in 52 weeks: Landmark EM Articles for EM interns was published on the ALiEM site. Over the subsequent years, many ground-breaking and practice-changing articles have been published. As part of a multi-institutional initiative launched by the ALiEM Chief Resident Incubator (“The Crincubator”), 9 chief residents from across the country pooled together lists of journal articles thought to be most important for the broad spectrum of EM learners. Additional input was obtained from FOAM leaders across the country including Dr. Ryan Radecki and Dr. Jeffrey Kline. These lists can be used by individuals for further learning or by residency programs [+]
Trick of the Trade: Topical Tranexamic Acid Paste for Hemostasis
Tranexamic acid (TXA) can be used in a wide variety of settings in the Emergency Department for its hemostatic effects. Topical applications of TXA are commonly utilized to control minor bleeding from epistaxis, lacerations, or dental extractions.1–3 More in-depth reviews of topical TXA can be found on R.E.B.E.L EM4 and The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.5 [+]
Zika Virus: What emergency department providers need to know
The Zika virus outbreak has recently been put on “Level 1” activation status by the Emergency Operations Center at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you haven’t already thought about this affecting your emergency department, you should starting now. A Level 1 status has been triggered only 3 times in the recent years: Ebola (2014), H1N1 (2009), Hurricane Katrina (2005). The following are some key facts and resources. [+]