60-Second Soapbox: Abernethy (Pain Medications), Bellew (Posttest Probability), Bouthillet (Wide Complex Tachycardia)
Welcome to the second bolus of 60-Second Soapbox! Each episode, one lucky individual gets exactly 1 whole 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! [+]
AIR Series: Cardiology Module, Part 1 (2015)
There is a phenomenal amount of cardiology content in the FOAMsphere. Accordingly, the CORD testing schedule and our cardiology module has been divided into two parts – Part 1 (ACS) and Part 2 (CHF, Vascular Dissection, and Other). Below we have listed our selection of the 14 highest quality blog posts within the past 12 months (as of July 2015) related to acute coronary syndromes, curated and approved for residency training by the AIR Series Board. In this module we have 6 AIRs and 8 Honorable Mentions. We strive for comprehensiveness by selecting from a broad spectrum of blogs from the top 50 listing [+]
I am Dr. James Huffman, STARS Airway Course Director, Transport Physician, and Clinical Educator: How I Stay Healthy in EM
Dr. James Huffman (@jameslhuffman) knows how to keep well and keep it real! Despite multiple work commitments, he still finds time to engage in his interests, keep fit, stay well, and spend time with his family and friends. With a recent new addition to his family, Dr. Huffman has learned how to maximize his time. Constantly trying to find new ways to be effective, Dr. Huffman is a true example of how wellness can be integrated into your day. Here’s how he stays healthy in EM! [+]
ALiEM Bookclub: Beyond the ED – Recommendations by Dr. Lewis Goldfrank
In the way that we can be inspired and changed by the actions of others, we can be inspired and changed by the books we read. In this series, ALiEM Bookclub: Beyond the ED, we hope to introduce you to a selection of books as seen through our guests’ eyes. Our first guest is Dr. Lewis Goldfrank, Chair of Emergency Medicine at NYU – Bellevue. He is well known as one of the founders of both Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology. In addition to his accomplishments within Emergency Medicine, for many he is best known as the spiritual leader of the [+]
Diagnose on Sight: Recurrent Rash
Case: A 22 year old female presents with a rash on her left arm for several days. She states she has previously had the exact same rash in the exact same location intermittently over the past 2 years. She has no systemic symptoms and has started no new prescription medications, though she has been taking ibuprofen. What is the diagnosis? [+]
PEM Pearls: Migraine Treatment for Pediatric EM Patients
You are working your evening shift at the pediatrics emergency department, and you walk into a darkened patient room with a distressed mother and her otherwise healthy 10-year old son who is curled in a ball, holding his head and crying. Her mother tells you that the around-the-clock ibuprofen has barely touched his 2-day headache. After determining that your patient has no neurologic deficits and that this is most likely a primary headache, what can you do to break his symptoms? [+]
5 Scheduling Software Options in the Emergency Department: An In-Depth Review
From the dawn of Emergency Medicine, the tradition of schedule creation has been an arduous task handed down from chief to chief. Only the most masochistic of individuals dared to rise to the challenges inherent in planning shift coverage around the concerts, reunions, and weddings of their closest peers. Luckily, as design and technology continue to advance, an increasing number of software options have become available to help assist the Scheduler in his or her duties. The software options have dramatic variations in price, interface, and capabilities. The inaugural ALIEM Chief Resident Incubator team hopes to shed some light on the [+]
Trick of the Trade: Ear foreign body removal with modified suction setup
A 5 year old boy comes in who has stuck a small unpopped popcorn kernel into each ear. My resident and I discuss different methods to try to get it out including an ear curette, tissue glue, suction, and calling the ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist. The ear curette won’t work to get around and the kernels are smooth and hard to grasp and might cause trauma with swelling or bleeding. We quickly excluded irrigation because the kernel might swell more. Another method considered was a drop of tissue adhesive onto a q-tip stick to adhere onto the foreign body (FB) for extraction. We were a little leary [+]
I am Dr. Azita Hamedani, Founding EM Department Chair at University of Wisconsin: How I Work Smarter
Today we have the privilege of hearing from Dr. Azita G. Hamedani MD, MPH, MBA, founding chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH). Under her leadership, the department has grown exponentially, growing from 6 to 36 residents, from 14 to 45 faculty while experiencing a 100% increase in patient volume. For showing exemplary skills in leadership, clinical quality, operations and healthcare finance she has been awarded – amongst other awards – both ACEP’s Outstanding ED Medical Director of the Year Award and the Association of Women in Academic [+]
I am Dr. Kathryn Dong, Director of ARCH and Inner City Health and Wellness: How I Stay Healthy in EM
Dr. Kathryn Dong (@kathryndong) is no stranger when it comes to keeping well! Currently, she is the Director of the Inner City Health and Wellness Program and the Addiction Recovery Community Health (ARCH) Team. She also keeps busy with her 3 boys, who keep her active and on her toes! Dr. Dong’s inspiring work with inner city populations, has given her a welcoming perspective on the value of community. Here, she shares her thoughts on how to maintain mental wellness and keep mentally in check. Take a look at how she stays healthy in emergency medicine! [+]