Grand Rounds Recap - 9/24/2014

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Grand Rounds Recap - 9/24/2014

Management of the GI bleed (a review of the Cochrane Reviews): 

  • PPI drips have been shown to decrease the rate of rebleed in patients with known peoptic ulcers. It has not been shown to decrease mortality, hospital stay, transfusion need. It also has not been shown to be beneficial in the undifferentiated upper GI bleed and may have a trend toward harm. 
  • Octreotide doesn't improve mortality but on average decreased transfusion requirement by 1/2u product.
  • Antibiotic coverage (treating for gut translocation with ceftriaxone) has been shown to have lowered mortality from infection and all-cause mortality.
  • Prophylactic intubation: 2 retrospective chart reviews came up with contrasting results on mortality outcome after intubating for prophylactic reasons (patient was protecting their airway). 
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Grand Rounds Recap - 9/17/2014

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Grand Rounds Recap - 9/17/2014

Radiation in Pregnancy with Dr. Polsinelli

Radiation effects can be deterministic or stochastic. 

  • Deterministic effects cause direct cell damage (radiation burns, teratogenicity, intrauterine death, genetic material damage). There is no evidence of teratogenicity in diagnostic testing radiation ranges (<50mGy). Genetic damage (causing effects in future generations) is theoretical and has not been reported. IUD is a concern, but on a population based scale there was no noted increase in incidence of fetal demise after large scale radiation event and this cannot be studied in vivo.
  • Stochastic effects increase the probability of developing cancer. There is no minimum threshold and increasing dose increases probability. Risk of cancer noted to be ~5% if exposed to 1Gy of radiation. (for comparison maternal radiation is: chest xray = 0.1mGy; CT abd/pelvis 10mGy)
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Interpretation of Head CTs

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Interpretation of Head CTs

In the video series below, PGY-1 resident, Dr. Gorder, leads us through the key aspects of CT head interpretation.  Attention is paid to the development of a rigorous systematic approach to review and interpretation of head CTs to aid in the identification of blood, ischemia, mass, signs of increased ICP, as well as fracture.  In the second video, the key anatomic features seen on head CT's are covered.

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Radiation in Pregnancy

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Radiation in Pregnancy

In the first of two posts preparing for Grand Rounds in the coming week, PGY-1 EM resident, Dr. Polsinelli, guides through the murky waters of radiation exposure during pregnancy.  She offers a background on what radiation is, how it's measured, the effects of radiation on the fetus, and radiation doses associated with common diagnostic exams.

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Enter the FOAM

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Enter the FOAM

This past Wednesday, I had the pleasure of giving a lecture on FOAM to the UC Emergency Medicine Residency.  Well, it wouldn't quite be a lecture on FOAM if I didn't make it freely available to all after I finished it all up.  You can check out the lecture slides on slideshare embedded at the bottom of the post.  I also recorded the lecture and broke it down into a series of 5-ish minute long videos which you can look at based on your area of interest.

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The Approach to Abdominal X-rays

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The Approach to Abdominal X-rays

Utility of the imaging modality aside, abdominal radiographs can be a bit of a challenge to interpret.  With a number of possible techniques (cross table laterals, left lateral decubitus, AP, upright, or supine) and a lot of structures to evaluate (is that small bowel or large bowel?, is that a kidney stone or an infamous phlebolith?), it's pretty easy to stare at a film and zone out as you eye moves from one shade of gray to another.

In the embedded video below, PGY-1 resident, Dr. Julie Teuber goes through a standardized approach to reading the abdominal x-ray that hopefully help keep your eyes from going cross-eyed next time you need to interpret an acute abdominal series.

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Grand Rounds Recap - 8/20/14

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Grand Rounds Recap - 8/20/14

An Update on CHF w/ Dr. Fermann

The phenotype of acute presentation of heart failure can be dramatically different. Consider the difference between the hypotensive patient who has very poor cardiac output now in cardiogenic shock requiring pressors (these have a very poor outcome), the normotensive patient who has slowly become retained fluid, and the acutely hypertensive patient who presents in extremis (who actually does quite well even though they are so sick on arrival).

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Grand Rounds Recap - 8/13/2014

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Grand Rounds Recap - 8/13/2014

R4 Simulation Series: Genitourinary Emergencies with Dr. Moschella and Dr. Verzwyvelt

  • Fournier's Gangrene (ie necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum): Case simulation of 19 yo M with tachycardia, hypotension, altered mental status found to have erythema, induration, and crepitus of the perineum. Initial steps are aggressive treatment of sepsis (broad spectrum antibiotics to cover skin and gut flora as this is commonly polymycrobial) and early surgical debridement. Either Urology of Acute Care Surgery will mobilize to perform the debridement.
  • Oral boards case: Consider ovarian torsion in young female with acute onset pain in lower abdomen or pelvis. You may find adnexal fullness or tenderness on exam. Diagnostic test of choice is transvaginal duplex ultrasound. Remember to include ectopic pregnancy, appendicitis, TOA in your differential.
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Grand Rounds Recap - 7/27/2014

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Grand Rounds Recap - 7/27/2014

M&M Learning Points with Dr. Stull:

  • Severe asthma exacerbations require considerable effort to avoid furthering acidosis while attempting to stabilize, secure airway, and maintain oxygenation. Use Mag early as there is evidence that you can reduce admissions by providing this treatment early. Consider BiPAP to improve ventilation while preparing for definitive airway management but there is no evidence that it reduces intubations. Ketamine as the RSI induction agent may provide some bronchodilatory effect but there is not enough data to provide any formal recommendations. For this same reason, ketamine as a post-intubation sedation agent may be appropriate. Vent management is key with a focus on low respiratory rate and short inspiratory times to lengthen the I:E ratio (>1:3) to allow full exhalation. Goal TV 6-8cc/kg, "ZEEP" or low PEEP (0-5mmHg), consider a plateau goal of ~25 if you paralyze
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Grand Rounds Recap - 7/23/14

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Grand Rounds Recap - 7/23/14

n general, the best way to learn is to challenge yourself.  Teaching styles should take into account different learner types and levels

Learner levels:

  • Beginner: early 3rd year medical student
    • Can be an observer initially but transition these learners to the next stage
    • Keeps you on point as you have to really know what you are talking about
    • Incorporate them into your H+P
    • Transitional: ask them to perform supervised H+Ps as this prevents them from developing bad habits
    • Advanced:OMP (one minute preceptor) or SNAPPS model
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Grand Rounds Recap - 7/16/14

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Grand Rounds Recap - 7/16/14

Oral Boards Case with Dr. Blomkalns

The pt is a 70 yo M who presents with AMS, weakness and nausea for 1-2 days. He complains of diffuse weakness and feeling "sick". His hx is significant for HTN, HLD, CHF and he takes digoxin. Vital signs on arrival are BP 90/60 with HR 47. There is concern for digoxin toxicity, so dig level is obtained and is 2.4

(normal is less than 1.2).

His K is 6 and Cr is 1.9. EKG shows LBBB.

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Grand Rounds Recap - 7/2/14

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Grand Rounds Recap - 7/2/14

EM: Past, Present and Future with Dr. Pancioli

  • Emergency Medicine started in 1960s with first "ER group" starting out in 1961. At that time the ED was the weakest and most neglected department in the hospital and was staffed by a variety of physicians (IM, family med, surgery, derm, etc), none of them EM trained.
  • Bruce Janiak was the first EM resident with the first EM residency at UC in 1970. This was a 2 year program with only 2 dedicated ED months.
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The Levy Cup Cometh...

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The Levy Cup Cometh...

On this day of #EMConf goodness, we tease the upcoming day of Grand Rounds competition known as The Levy Cup.  In 3 weeks time, the residents will pair off into teams in a battle of wits and skills.  A round robin competition of procedural relay stations, simulations, trivia game shows, Cash for Cases (where the less money you spend on the patient, the more points you get) and some surprises I don't want to spoil here will pair the field down to 2 teams that will compete in the finale.  Think SimWars gone crazy!

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Letting the Cat out of the Bag after the Horse Has Already Left the Barn...

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Letting the Cat out of the Bag after the Horse Has Already Left the Barn...

 If you are just now finding this site, you'll see there's a fair degree of stuff on here already.  This is an educational blog edited by Dr. Bill Hinckley and Dr. Jeff Hill, both physicians dedicated to education in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Cincinnati.  The content of the blog is by nomeans only ours.  In fact, this site is best thought of as a funnel for all the great educational content our faculty and resident's churn out.  We look forward to interacting in this digital space with our colleagues locally and from across the globe.  Feel free to reach out to us on twitter, Facebook, or through the blog itself.

   For now take a listen to our introductory podcast for some more background on the genesis of the site and the site name by clicking here

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