ED Opiate Rx Risks Long-Term Use
For every 48 patients given a short-term opiate prescription in the ED, 1 became a long-term opiate user.
Water or Sterile Saline for Wounds
Wound irrigation with tap water vs sterile saline was just as effective.
Why a Femoral Line Is OK
Femoral lines are as safe as IJ lines and almost as safe as SC lines, when placed with meticulous sterile technique.
Etomidate or Ketamine Safe for Trauma Airway
Etomidate and ketamine were equally safe when used as trauma airway induction agents.
A Sweet Way to Relieve Neonatal Pain
Sucrose, or sweet taste analgesia, works well in neonates. Use it!
Difficult Access – Go for the Jugular
In patients with difficult IV access, a 4.8cm peripheral IV catheter in the IJ is an option.
Ketorolac – A Little Dab’ll Do Ya
For analgesia, there was no difference in 10mg, 15mg, and 30mg of IV ketorolac.
Decompress that Cadaver – STAT
Based on this cadaver study, a 5cm catheter should be highly successful for needle decompression at either the 2nd intercostal space (ICS) mid-clavicular line or 5th ICS mid-axillary line.
Drug Seekers in Spokane Beware
A city-wide plan of care for frequent ED users for pain-related complaints decreased the number of visits and opiate prescriptions.
Best knock-down for agitated patients
Midazolam 5 mg/droperidol 5 mg IV was better and faster onset than droperidol 10 mg IV and olanzapine 10 mg IV for agitation.