Blog
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Aug 23 2017
Clearing Drunk C-spines
A negative c-spine CT had 99.9% NPV for clinically significant c-spine injury in intoxicated patients. The Western Trauma Association recommends c-spine clearance, even in intoxicated patients, if gross motor function is normal, no neurologic complaints, and negative c-spine CT per experienced radiologist. Be careful out there, and get institutional buy-in if you plan to put this into practice.
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Aug 22 2017
A Kinder Simpler Geneva Score
A simplified Geneva Score is safe to use in place of the Geneva score and is straightforward, with each criterion being worth one point. Low to Intermediate pretest probability plus negative D-dimer with the simplified Geneva ruled out PE as well as the regular Geneva score.
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Aug 21 2017
Ten Cellulitis Myths Busted
This was a fun article that searched the literature and dispensed with 10 myths about cellulitis.
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Aug 19 2017
Alteplase for Submassive PE
This early study of thrombolytics plus heparin for submassive PE showed no mortality benefit but did show a decrease in need for escalation of care compared with heparin alone. Subsequent studies call lytics for submassive PE into question, so take the current evidence into account.
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Aug 18 2017
Just Put the Clavicle in a Sling – Not Any More
More patients are having operative repair for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. This meta-analysis of 6 RCTs found that the rate of nonunion was markedly reduced and final functional outcome was also improved (though not as strikingly) with operative management.
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Aug 17 2017
Ejection Fraction with an iPhone
Noninvasive measurement of ejection fraction with an iPhone app is possible and very accurate. When this becomes publicly available, it will be a game changer.
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Aug 16 2017
No Mag for You, Baby
Don't use IV magnesium for bronchiolitis. It doesn't work, and it may cause harm.
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Aug 15 2017
ED Oversedation May Cause ICU Harm
Excessive sedation of intubated adult patients in the ED was associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Aim for a RASS > -3.
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Aug 14 2017
Diarrhea Only – C. difficile
In a largely adult population, those presenting to the ED with diarrhea only and no vomiting had C. difficile colitis as the cause in 10%, and almost 40% lacked risk factors.
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Aug 12 2017
Why We Use Low Tidal Volume for Acute Lung Injury
Low tidal volume ventilation reduced mortality in patients with acute lung injury. If you want to learn more, see this post on Managing the Vent Like a Pro.