Emergency Medicine: Archives

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Is ECMO Ready for the Big Time?

• October 2, 2009
• Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP, and J. Stephen Bohan, MD, MS, FACP, FACEP

Ambitious study, ambiguous result

• Reviewing:
• Peek GJ et al., Lancet 2009 Sep 16 Zwischenberger JB and Lynch JE., Lancet 2009 Sep 16

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Procalcitonin Algorithm Reduces Antibiotic Use for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

• October 2, 2009
• John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM

Without increasing adverse outcomes of disease

• Reviewing:
• Schuetz P et al., JAMA 2009 Sep 9; 302:1059 Yealy DM and Fine MJ., JAMA 2009 Sep 9; 302:1115

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Airway Scope vs. GlideScope in Patients with Normal Anatomy

• October 2, 2009
• Aaron E. Bair, MD, MSc, FAAEM, FACEP

Intubation with the Pentax Airway Scope was faster and easier.

• Reviewing:
• Teoh WHL et al., Anaesthesia 2009 Oct; 64:1125

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

FAST Underperforms in Patients with Hemodynamic InstabilityFree

• October 2, 2009
• John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM

FAST when performed by radiology residents had low sensitivity for detecting hemoperitoneum in hemodynamically unstable trauma patients.

• Reviewing:
• Gaarder C et al., J Trauma 2009 Aug; 67:323

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

CT Angiography Is Clearly Better Than Conventional Angiography for Evaluating Extremity Trauma

• October 2, 2009
• John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM

CT angiography is as accurate as conventional angiography as well as faster and less expensive.

• Reviewing:
• Seamon MJ et al., J Trauma 2009 Aug; 67:238

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

CA-MRSA as a Cause of Otitis Media

• September 25, 2009
• Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH

Children with acute otitis media and tympanic membrane perforation who presented in 2001–2006 were more likely to have CA-MRSA isolated from ear aspirates than were children who presented in 1993–1998.

• Reviewing:
• Brook I and Gober AE., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2009 Jul; 28:640

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Decision Rules for Children with Head Trauma Can Prevent Unnecessary CTsFree

• September 25, 2009
• Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH

A large multicenter study provides robust support for avoiding head CT scans in children at low risk.

• Reviewing:
• Kuppermann N et al., Lancet 2009 Sep 15

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

DPL Still Holds Key Role in Evaluating Blunt and Penetrating Trauma

• September 25, 2009
• John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM

In hemodynamically unstable patients, positive DPL always predicted intra-abdominal injury that required surgery.

• Reviewing:
• Cha JY et al., J Trauma 2009 Aug; 67:330

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Communication in the ED: Small Changes Can Make Big Differences

• September 25, 2009
• Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Formal analysis and identified solutions combine to improve communication.

• Reviewing:
• Redfern E et al., Emerg Med J 2009 Sep; 26:658

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Improving Follow-Up for ED Patients Who Lack Access to Primary Care

• September 18, 2009
• Richard D. Zane, MD, FAAEM

Scheduling follow-up appointments before ED discharge improved the rate of follow-up among low-income patients without access to primary care, but, most patients did not show up for their appointments.

• Reviewing:
• Chan TC et al., Ann Emerg Med 2009 Aug; 54:279