PV Card: Focused Ocular Ultrasound
Ocular injuries and pathology are a common cause for Emergency Department visits. With bedside ultrasonography, many of these conditions can be assessed. Did you know that you can check for a retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and even a lens dislocation? What do these look like? Check out this great PV card on the focused ultrasound assessment of the eye. PV Card: Ocular Ultrasound Adapted from [1, 2] Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources. References Blaivas M, Theodoro D, Sierzenski P. A study of bedside ocular ultrasonography in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2002;9(8):791-799. [PubMed] Kimberly H, [+]
Diagnose on Sight: Traumatic low back pain
Case: An 18 year old female was the restrained passenger in a motor vehicle crash moving at 65 mph. She complained of traumatic low back pain radiating to her abdomen. What is the most likely mechanism of injury, based on this video of CT images? [+]
I am Dr. Heather Murray, Emergency Physician and Medical Educator: How I Work Smarter
If you’re still trying wrap your mind around the Karpman triangle, the 3 Cs, and Kairos from last week’s post, don’t worry, we have some back to the basics goodness for you. Dr. Heather Murray (@HeatherM211) is an emergency physician primarily but wears many hats: Medical School Leader, Teacher of Evidence-Based Medicine, Journal Editor, Epidemiologist, and Canadian National Board Examiner. I have been told that she is a budding meme expert. But beyond titles, she clearly leaves a lasting impression with her learners. Indeed, fourth year medical student Eve Purdy nominated her to be part of the series. Dr. Murray kindly shared [+]
Anti-NMDA-Receptor Encephalitis
Anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis is a severe and treatable immune-mediated disorder which presents with a rapid progression of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Although only first reported as a diagnosis in 2007, an exponential number of cases have since been described, suggesting that the disease is not rare but rather under-diagnosed. Emergency physicians play an important role in recognizing this disorder, as prognosis is largely dependent on early treatment with immunotherapy. [+]
MEdIC Series | The Case of Breaking Bad News Badly
Code status. Do not resuscitate. Allow natural death… These can be some of the most daunting concepts for new learners to explain to patients, but they can also be the most critical. Depending on the circumstances, discussing these topics may be difficult for the most advanced clinicians. This month’s ALiEM MEdIC series case considers how we might help a learner through a bad experience with end-of-life care discussions. Please join us in discussing the case this month, we would love your thoughts and advice. [+]
PV Card: Testicular Ultrasound for Torsion and Epididymitis
"Time is testicle." Every minute drags by while you are awaiting your ultrasonographer to arrive to scan your patient to rule out testicular torsion. Why not take a quick look yourself? What are you looking for? This is an excellent PV card by Drs. Matthew Dawson and Mike Stone on the topic of testicular ultrasound, giving the basics about testicular torsion and acute epididymitis. PV Card: Testicular Ultrasound Adapted from [1, 2] Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources. References Blaivas M, Sierzenski P. Emergency ultrasonography in the evaluation of the acute scrotum. Acad Emerg Med. 2001;8(1):85-89. [PubMed] Blaivas M, Sierzenski P, [+]
Must-Know EM Pharmacotherapy Articles of 2014
There is so much literature to sift through each year, it becomes nearly impossible to stay abreast of it. Here is a quick summary of the 6 must-know Emergency Medicine pharmacotherapy articles from 2014, in my humble opinion. [+]
Welcome Dr. Matthew Zuckerman: 2015 ALiEM-AAEM Social Media and Digital Scholarship Fellow
Welcome to the newest member of our team, Dr. Matthew Zuckerman (@matthew608b), who is an Assistant Professor in Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus. He will serve as our inaugural 2015 ALiEM-AAEM Social Media and Digital Scholarship Fellow, working on advancing medical education and upgrading the AAEM e-book “Rules of the Road for Young Emergency Physicians.” [+]
I am Dr. Felix Ankel, VP for Health Professions Education at HealthPartners Institute: How I Work Smarter
It’s no coincidence that Dr. Felix Ankel (@felixankel) is Vice President for Health Professions Education at HealthPartners in Minneapolis. Dr. Ankel lives and breaths education and self-improvement. He has been active with CORD, SAEM, ACEP, ABEM, AAEM, among others. He is the recipient of the prestigious ACGME Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award for his contributions to medical education and his work in competency based learning. Today he was generous enough to take some time to share not only insights about the logistics of working smarter but also an approach to the mindset for success. [+]
ALiEM Bookclub: Brain on Fire – My Month of Madness
“Looking back at this time, I see that I’d begun to surrender to the disease, allowing all the aspects of my personality that I value – patience, kindness, and courteousness – to evaporate. I was a slave to the machinations of my aberrant brain. We are, in the end, a sum of our parts, and when the body fails, all the virtues we hold dear go with it.” – Brain on Fire, Susannah Cahalan [+]