Contributor: Jared Scott, MD Educational Pearls: Bilirubin is natural breakdown product of red blood cells but can be neurotoxic if levels become too high Fetal red blood cells are fragile and break down easier, leading to higher bilirubin levels in neonates Immature livers and increased intestinal absorption from sterile bowels also contribute to elevated levels and jaundice in all neonates Other risk factors for neonatal jaundice include: temperature instability, poor feeding, hypoxia at birth...
Jan 18, 2021•7 min
Contributor: Cheyenne Bean, PharmD Educational Pearls: Bactrim (TMP-SMX) is a sulfa antibiotic used for a number of infections but can have untoward effects. Hypoglycemia can be induced by the sulfa component of Bactrim, which binds receptors in the pancreas causing insulin to be secreted, dropping blood sugar levels. Oral diabetic medications, specifically sulfonylureas, when taken with Bactrim most often lead to these hypoglycemic episodes. Hyperkalemia can be induced by Trimethoprim by blocki...
Jan 15, 2021•5 min
Contributor: Gretchen Hinson, MD Educational Pearls: Viruses mutate frequently and a new variant of COVID has been found in the United Kingdom. Mutations typically occur due to transcription errors during virus replication leading to slight changes in the virus which can alter its virulence, and this UK mutation has shown more infectivity. The UK variant was first identified on 9/20/20 and sequenced in October The variant has a mutation of the spike protein with increased receptor binding capaci...
Jan 13, 2021•5 min
Contributor: Peter Bakes, MD Educational Pearls: Hyperacute T waves can occur immediately and typical last less than an hour Hyperacute T waves are typically broader than peaked T-waves, which are associated with hyperkalemia ST elevation which usually starts within an hour of the inciting event and can last up to a few days, and often follows the hyperacute T-waves Q waves can begin at the time ST elevation begins and can remain permanently T waves can invert before normalizing again days later...
Jan 12, 2021•6 min
Contributor: Jared Scott, MD Educational Pearls: EKGs look at different angles, or vectors, of the heart's electrical conduction as it travels through the heart. Knowing how to read these vectors is essential in diagnosing locations of cardiac pathologies Leads II, III, and aVF follow an inferior path, so ST elevation in those leads indicates inferior involvement Major complications more common with inferior STEMIs can include: hypotension which can be made worse by nitroglycerin Severe bradycar...
Jan 11, 2021•4 min
Contributor: Peter Bakes, MD Educational Pearls: STEMI criteria is not just 1mm elevation in contiguous leads 1.5 mm in V2-V3 for women 2.0 mm in V2-V3 for men 2.5 mm in V2-V3 for men under 40 Inferior MI typically have ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF Usually inferior MI's show reciprocal changes (ST depression) in the lateral leads. Lateral MI typically elevation in V5, V6, I, and aVL Anterior MI show elevation in leads V1-4 Right sided MIs have mixed pattern, showing elevation in V1-V2 a...
Jan 05, 2021•5 min
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has become more utilized with COVID pandemic Multiple studies have shown this method improves both oxygenation and ventilation Newer studies have shown the respiratory benefit of HFNC vs normal oxygen in patients suffering from CHF and those with do not intubate orders who are experiencing respiratory distress. Heated high flow is another option to provide ventilator and oxygen support to patients who either do not ...
Jan 04, 2021•3 min
Contributor: Ruben Marrero-Vasquez, PharmD Educational Pearls: ACEP and FDA have both issued warnings about the viral Tik Tok Benadryl (diphenhydramine) challenge where individuals voluntarily overdose on diphenhydramine which can cause fatal toxicity Diphenhydramine is typically dosed at 0.5-1 mg/kg in pediatric patients Q4-6 PRN and carries a fatal dose of 20-40 mg/kg but anywhere from 3-5x recommended dose does can cause toxicity Diphenhydramine toxicity causes both central and peripheral ant...
Jan 01, 2021•7 min
EMM is excited to welcome back the hosts of Millennial Mental Health Channel podcast to explain the key points of a robust suicide assessment in the ED. Dr. Justin Romano is a third year psychiatry resident in Omaha, Nebraska and Eddie Carrillo is a licensed mental health therapist currently working at partial hospitalization and IOP eating disorder program in Portland, Oregon. Their podcast Millennial Mental Health Channel seeks to explore the world of mental health from their two professional ...
Dec 30, 2020•17 min
Educational Pearls: The CDC has made new formal recommendations for treating Gonorrhea due to increasing resistance to Rocephin and Azithromycin. New recommendations: Confirmed gonorrhea: Ceftriaxone 500 mg once Empiric treatment: Ceftriaxone 500 mg once followed by 7 days Doxycycline 100 mg BID No longer using Azithromycin due to high resistance Second line: Gentamycin IM Cefixime 800 mg oral Pharyngeal involvement has high resistance rates to second line agents and ceftriaxone is strongly pref...
Dec 29, 2020•4 min
Contributor: Tom Seibert, MD Educational Pearls: High altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is the end stage of acute mountain sickness and is diagnosed when patients develop neurologic dysfunction, ataxia, and altered mental status. The pathophysiology of HACE is thought to be due to increased cerebral blood flow and increased capillary permeability causing vasogenic edema and brain swelling HACE is linked to extreme altitude Rapid descent should be done as soon as possible for this potentially fatal ...
Dec 28, 2020•2 min
Contributor: Don Stader, MD Educational Pearls: Time can be an important factor in outcomes regarding sepsis including mortality Emphasis has grown on early administration of antibiotics and IV fluids in sepsis However, early initiation of vasopressors for hypotensive patients may have significant mortality benefit as well References Hayden GE, Tuuri RE, Scott R, et al. Triage sepsis alert and sepsis protocol lower times to fluids and antibiotics in the ED. Am J Emerg Med . 2016;34(1):1-9. doi:1...
Dec 22, 2020•3 min
Contributor: Tom Seibert, MD Educational Pearls: Acute Mountain sickness (AMS) can cause headache along with fatigue, nausea, vomiting, insomnia Typically occurs above 6500 feet ( not 65,000 ) in elevation Acclimation to altitude can help prevent symptoms if not treated, AMS can advance to severe illness involving cerebral or pulmonary edema. Mild symptoms can be managed with rest but more severe symptoms will require descent, oxygen, acetazolamide and steroids Acetazolamide can be used as both ...
Dec 21, 2020•5 min
Contributor: Thomas Seibert, MD Educational Pearls: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) typically occurs 2-4 days after arriving at elevation Symptoms include: Fatigue Dyspnea Cough Treatment includes: Descent to lower elevation Oxygen supplementation Nifedipine Caused by sympathetic stimulation from hypobaric hypoxic exposure, causing uneven pulmonary vasculature constriction and when paired with a leaky endothelium, pulmonary edema. #science References Swenson ER, Bärtsch P. High-altitude pul...
Dec 15, 2020•5 min
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Schizophrenia typically doesn't present until age 13 and has a prodrome Prodrome includes months of gradual changes in behavior, starting with negative symptoms and progressing to positive symptoms Negative symptoms include losing concentration, poor memory, poor school performance, and personality changes Positive symptoms include hallucinations, which tend to be more visual in children Sudden changes mimicking psychiatric illness should raise c...
Dec 14, 2020•3 min
Contributors: Rachael Duncan, PharmD and Sean McCullough, PharmD Educational Pearls: A 2019 Report by the National Women's Law Center: Most common occupations for pregnant workers are elementary and middle school teachers, registered nurses, and nursing/psychiatric/home health care aides. This raises the question: Should pregnant women, specifically front-line workers, get the Covid-19 vaccine? According to the FDA, there is currently not enough data to make a conclusion about the safety of the ...
Dec 11, 2020•20 min
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Serum prolactin levels can be used to help differentiate epileptic seizures from non-epileptic seizures It is also released and elevated after epileptic seizures but not non-epileptic seizures A level must be checked 10-20 minutes after the episode and if possible a next day level should be checked to establish a baseline Levels can also be raised after a syncopal event Not the most useful ED also due to the long turn around time EEG will remain ...
Dec 08, 2020•4 min
Contributor: Don Stader, MD Educational Pearls: Zyprexa (olanzapine) is a second generation antipsychotic with multiple other uses Excellent for treating nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy or with THC hyperemesis syndrome Helps with the psychological and emotional aspect of pain Effective in treatment of headaches Can be given under the tongue Fewer incidences of dystonic reactions compared with first generation antipsychotics Patients using anti-dopaminergic should not receive antipsych...
Dec 07, 2020•4 min
Contributor: Don Stader, MD Educational Pearls: Majority of patients experience side effects while taking opioids Most common include nausea/vomiting, puriitis, constipation; more severe and less common include respiratory depression, addiction and overdose Opiates can cause nausea, but ondansetron (Zofran) is the wrong treatment because it's not antidopaminergic. Instead consider using metoclopramide (Reglan), olanzapine (Zyprexa), or haloperidol (Haldol) Itching from opiates isn't histamine me...
Dec 01, 2020•4 min
Contributor: Peter Bakes, MD Educational Pearls: Recent study looked at if mask wearing protects the mask wearer from infection This group found 1.8% of mask wearers got COVID while 2.1% of non-mask wearers became infected, which was not statistically significant This was not statistically significant and has been used to justify not wearing masks by some groups While the numbers look small, it's close to a 20% reduction in infections for the mask wearers The results reported had concerns for be...
Nov 30, 2020•4 min
Contributor: Rachael Duncan, PharmD Educational Pearls: ED visits nationwide declined by 42% in April 2020 compared to the same time in 2019 largely due to the fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest decline was seen in pediatrics less than 14, women and emerging COVID hotspots like the Northeast. In recent weeks, this trend has reversed, showing a record-breaking number of COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. As hospitals reach capacity, critically ill COVID patients are being held in ...
Nov 27, 2020•17 min
For this episode of Mental Health Monthly, EMM is honored to collaborate with the hosts of Millennial Mental Health Channel podcast to explain Borderline Personality Disorder and tips to manage patients with this diagnosis in the Emergency Department. Dr. Justin Romano is a third year psychiatry resident in Omaha, Nebraska and Eddie Carrillo is a licensed mental health therapist currently working at partial hospitalization and IOP eating disorder program in Portland, Oregon. Their podcast Millen...
Nov 25, 2020•18 min
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Contrary to many assumptions, meter-dose inhalers (MDIs) are as effective as nebulizers in pediatric and adult patients Nebulizers are associated with higher rates of tremor, tachycardia; they cost more and are associated with longer ED stays Though it may take some convincing, in a patient that is physically able, using an MDI with spacer appears to be the better option - and that was even before COVID. References Snider MA, Wan JY, Jacobs J, Ki...
Nov 24, 2020•3 min
Contributor: Ryan Circh, MD Educational Pearls: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can be the initial presenting condition of undiagnosed diabetes type I in pediatric patients Unlike adults, children typically need less fluid (i.e. 10 mL/kg bolus for those in shock followed by maintenance) Cerebral edema is a concern from rapid administration of fluids An insulin drip at 0.1 units/Kg/hr should be started but a bolus isn't required Editor's note: While conceptually similar, treatment for pediatric DKA i...
Nov 23, 2020•5 min
Contributor: Nick Tsipis, MD Educational Pearls: Perichondritis involves infection of not only the connective tissue of the ear but typically the cartilage as well Symptoms include erythema, ear pain, and fevers The most common bacterial cause is Pseudomonas. Perichondritis often occurs after a wound or piercing, but trauma is not necessary for the infection to occur Anti-pseudomonal coverage is essential with typically oral agents for milder disease and IV antibiotics for severe infections Can ...
Nov 17, 2020•4 min
Contributor: Sam Killian, MD Educational Pearls: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is an infection of peritoneal fluid that typically occurs in cirrhotic patients Symptoms may include abdominal pain, fever, and/or altered mental status Paracentesis is diagnostic test of choice. Diagnostic criteria includes > 250 polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) or a positive gram stain/culture Treatment is typically a 3rd generation cephalosporin ·30-40% of SBP patients will go into renal failure and SBP ...
Nov 16, 2020•4 min
Contributor: Rachael Waterson, PharmD Educational Pearls: Drug shortages have been an ongoing issue since the 2000's. Improvement was being made; however, several factors have exacerbated the drug supply more recently. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Report there are 163 drugs currently on the drug shortage list. Of the 40 drugs critical to treating COVID-19, 18 are on this list. In comparison, according to the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP), the cur...
Nov 13, 2020•16 min
Dr. Tsipis sits down with colleague Dr. Ricky Dhaliwal for some insightful conversation regarding the differences between academic and community settings as well as the various roles of advocacy in medicine. Time Stamps 00:23 Banter and introductions 2:41 upbringing in 1st generation immigrant Indian household 14:30 losing culture as 2nd gen immigrant 7:32 Balancing family and work with a two doc family 8:32 President of EMRA 10:42 Working in academia vs community 13:29 New job advice 15:55 Nick...
Nov 11, 2020•40 min
Contributor: Dave Rosenberg, MD Educational Pearls: The potential of vaccinations was first observed in the late 1600s when Jenner observed people who had cowpox never contracted smallpox, so he inoculated people with cowpox to see if it prevented smallpox, and… Years later, Louis Pasteur inoculated chickens with cholera after his assistant accidently created the first live attenuated vaccine by creating a weakened bacteria when he left the bacteria out while he went on vacation Pasteur observed...
Nov 10, 2020•4 min
Contributor: Chris Holmes, MD Educational Pearls: During a typical flu season positive rates of flu tests run around ~20% Surveillance data from Australia, South Africa, and Chile showed remarkably low rates of flu during their typical high season - only 51 total cases were reported This overlapped with COVID, meaning extensive social distancing and other measures likely have benefit with flu Editor's note: at 35 cases, we are over half way there! References https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/w...
Nov 09, 2020•3 min
