Grand Rounds Recap 04.28.21

Grand Rounds Recap 04.28.21

We had a fantastic Grand Rounds this week!! Dr. Li kicked us off with our monthly Morbidity and Mortality conference, covering cases ranging from methamphetamine intoxication to the evidence behind the medical pan scan. Dr. Harty then led us through several cases where ultrasound made critical diagnoses that completely altered patients’ clinical courses #SonoWavesFTW. Dr. Modi passionately educated us on the importance of an individual’s name, in both identity and cultural significance, and how crucial it is to respect and pronounce names correctly. Lastly. Drs. Berger, Irankunda, and Urbanowicz expertly discussed pediatric orthopedic injuries.

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Grand Rounds Recap 04.21.21

Grand Rounds Recap 04.21.21

Extra! Extra! We had excellent content this week in Grand Rounds. Dr. Paulsen started us off with discussing the difference in generational and gender-based communication approaches in our quarterly Leadership Curriculum. Drs. Frankenfeld and Ijaz then expertly discussed their new status epilepticus algorithm in QI/KT. Dr. Hill discussed his passion for diltiazem use in A.fib with RVR in his attending case follow up. Dr. Martella educated us on the evidence behind the most common medications given for renal colic in the ED during his R1 Clinical Treatment. Lastly, Drs. Broadstock and Lang battled it out in CPC involving a case of thyroid storm.

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Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place: Navigating Renal Colic Treatment

Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place: Navigating Renal Colic Treatment

Renal colic is a common presenting symptom in the ED, with an estimated prevalence as high as 10-15% in the US. (1) It accounts for approximately 1% of all ED visits per year. (27) Most patients will pass these calculi spontaneously and do not require surgical intervention, therefore focus on pain relief is of utmost importance in the emergency department. (1) NSAIDs have shown to be as effective, if not more effective than opioids, making them a reliable first line agent. (4,5) Opioids still provide a viable option in those with kidney disease or gastric ulcer disease, however they may be best utilized as combination agents to decrease the need for rescue analgesia. There is weak evidence to support the use of IV acetaminophen, with high cost burden, limiting its utility. Additional agents such as ketamine, lidocaine and magnesium carry with them limited evidence and inconsistencies in the literature, limiting their use, with further studies required. Alpha blockers seem to provide a shorter duration to expulsion, fewer pain episodes, and less hospital admissions with surgical intervention, specifically with larger stones (>5mm).

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Grand Rounds Recap 04.14.21

Grand Rounds Recap 04.14.21

This week’s Grand Rounds was jam-packed with great morsels for all! Dr. Finney kicked us off with a discussion on orbital infections, Dr. Frederick discussed the nuances of dynamic EKG changes in the ED and consultation etiquette in her R3 Taming the SRU lecture, Dr. Iparraguirre discussed pearls of wisdom for his R4 Capstone, Dr. Kein expertly discussed the literature behind the most commonly used medications for agitation in the ED, Drs. Mullen and Ham battled head-to-head in a CPC case highlighting ethylene glycol toxicity, Dr. LaFollette presented a rare case of metformin-associated lactic acidosis, and lastly Dr. Runkle wrapped the day up with pearls for rural PEM.

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Grand Rounds Recap 04.07.21

Grand Rounds Recap 04.07.21

This week in Grand Rounds we discussed the management of early pregnancy loss with OBGYN, things you don’t know you don’t know when you graduate with Dr. Paulsen, a case of tumor lysis syndrome with Dr. Laurence, an R4 case follow up with Dr. Hall, and our quarterly simulation with a myxedema coma case.

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Droperidol for Agitation in the ED - No Danger to the Dangerous?

Droperidol for Agitation in the ED - No Danger to the Dangerous?

Droperidol is a versatile medication with a number of potential uses for patients in the Emergency Department. It is also a medication surrounded in some degree of mystique because of the decision by the FDA in 2001 to issue a black box warning for its use in response to reports of QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. Many at the time (and since) have argued that, despite these case reports, droperidol is a safe and effective medication that can be used for the treatment of agitation, nausea and vomiting, and migraine. We have previously covered much of this background in a previous blog post. In our most recent journal club, we discussed 3 articles that looked at the safety and efficacy of droperidol for treating acutely agitated patients. Take a read and listen below for an in depth look at each of these papers.

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Grand Rounds Recap - EMS Disaster Day 03.31.21

Grand Rounds Recap - EMS Disaster Day 03.31.21

This week highlighted our annual EMS Disaster Day! From decontamination pearls with our guest lecturer Dr. James Augustine, to preparation planning and response with our very own Dr. Mel Otten, to Ebola updates and radiation injuries with Dr. Calhoun, to gun violence with guest lecturer Dr. Brian Springer, there are pearls for all!

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Grand Rounds Recap 03.24.21

What’d we cover in this week’s Grand Rounds? Dr. Mand expertly delivered her final Morbidity & Mortality conference of the year, covering a spectrum of pathology from pediatric cardiac arrest to BRASH syndrome. Dr. Ryan gave the second part of the highly informative medical malpractice series. Dr. Stark reviewed hand injuries for her R1 Clinical Knowledge, an EM bread & butter lecture series. To cap things off, Dr. Hunt reviewed an R3 case where she tamed the SRU.

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Grand Rounds Recap 03.10.21

Grand Rounds Recap 03.10.21

This week’s Grand Rounds started off with Journal Club covering everyone’s favorite medication, droperidol! We followed this with a blast from the past, alum and guest lecturer Dr. Iserson who delivered this quarter’s Global Health Grand Rounds. The Sports Medicine Interest Group gave key points on the hand, elbow, and hip exam. Finally, the day ended with video review of two pediatric resuscitations to make us all pause the next time we see the chief complaint “shortness of breath” pop onto the trackboard.

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Open Breaks - Antibiotics for Open Fractures

Open Breaks - Antibiotics for Open Fractures

Open fractures are a common pathology seen in emergency departments, especially in trauma centers. In open fractures, the skin barrier has been compromised, exposing sterile bone to the environment. Considered a true orthopedic emergency, these fractures have high morbidity due to osteomyelitis, with infection rates up to 55%. (1) Appropriate and timely intervention in the emergency department with proper antibiotic therapy, wound care, and early orthopedic surgery involvement dramatically reduces the risk of developing osteomyelitis. In this post we will discuss antibiotic recommendations for osteomyelitis prophylaxis for open fractures. Initial management of open fractures is discussed in another post.

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