JC gets a pass for the Christmas & New Year Holiday. We will be looking at some formatting changes coming soon so keep the ideas & suggestions coming. Have a great holiday season!
November 2009
Critical Appraisals:
Is there a role for steroids in patients with acute pharyngitis?
Bell's Palsy: Does the use of antivirals provide any additional benefits?
Outcomes Feedback: A thought provoking open access essay - Is no news bad news?
October 2009
CAT:
Is the combination of ketamine and propofol (Ketofol) a useful adjunct in pediatric ED sedation?
Critical Appraisal:
A decision rule for kids with minor head injury: PICARN
September 2009
CATs:
Is there a role for Rapid Flu-Testing in the Emergency Department?
Antivirals and Flu-like illness: Is there any evidence to support their routine use?
Critical Appraisal:
Efficacy of H1N1 Monovalent Vaccine: A Preliminary Report
Article - Response to a Monovolent 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine
August 2009
CAT:
Is there a role for vasopressin in the treatment of septic shock?
Critical Appraisals:
Glycemic control in the ICU patient: an appraisal of the NICE-SUGAR trial.
Early goal directed therapy: A look back & critical appraisal of the original Rivers article.
July 2009
CATs:
Should Thiamine be used in the routine management of the chronic ETOH abuser?
Is there a role for ASA plus clopidogrel in acute ischemic stroke and TIA?
June 2009:
JC Takes a break as we bid adieu to the Class of 2009 and ready ourselves for the 'newbies.'
May 2009
JC made a visit to SAEM in NOLA and two of our resident presenters offer up abstracts of interest. One sadly stayed behind and presented the PICO below
CATs:
The Sellick maneuver...useful, or a hindrance to ED intubation?
Dr.Stewart's
Abstracts of interest from the Annual SAEM Meeting
April 2009
CATs:
Shoulder dislocations...should all reductions begin with the use of intra-articular anesthetics?
Should we be Pan-Scanning ALL blunt abdominal trauma patients?
Article - Validation of a universal rule for pre-hospital termination of resuscitation
March 2009
CATs:
GI Bleeds: Can Octreotide/Somatostatin be useful in ED patients with acute NON-variceal GI Bleeding?
Variceal Bleeding: Emergent endoscopy vs. octreotide & vasopressin. Is there a better choice?
Critical Appraisal:
Do NG tubes provide any utility in triaging patients suspected of having upper GI bleeds?
February 2009
CATs:
Fever in ages 3-36 months...Do well appearing kids need anything other than a U/A
Article - MMWR report on the impact of polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar
Is C-reactive Protein a useful adjunct in evaluation ED patients with acute chest pain?
Critical Appraisal:
Article - The SWEET Study for Acute Elbow Fractures
January 2009
CAT:
Skin abscesses,
MRSA or not: Is there any evidence in support of empiric antibiotics?
Critical Appraisal:
Vertigo: The Epley maneuver vs.
benzodiazepines, anticholinergics or antiemetics? (link to The Epley)
Hypertonic Saline in Acute Bronchiolitis: A Critical Appraisal of an RCT
JC gets a pass for the holidays. We
will be back with new topics in January and always welcome suggestions
for clinical questions. Take a look at the new voluntary PhRMA rules
that go into effect January 1st. We'll avoid any commentary at this time
and suggest you take a look and start stocking up on your pens. Have a
great holiday.
PhRMA Code of Interaction with Healthcare Professionals
November
2008
Can TPA be given safely six hours after onset of an acute ischemic CVA?
The ABCD2 prediction rule for patients with TIA
Thrombectomy in acute CVA...ready for prime time or not?
October 2008
CAT:
Can Serum Tryptase Serve as a Biomarker for Those Predisposed to Anaphylaxis?
Critical Appraisal:
Do Narcotic Analgesics impact the
Accuracy of the Physical Exam in Children with Acute Abdominal
September 2008
ELECTION 2008 This month JC took a look at the Presidential Candidates positions on healthcare. Below are our presenters summaries.
Obama's Healthcare Plan Summary
McCain's Healthcare Plan Summary
Ron Paul's Healthcare Plan Summary
August 2008
CATs:
Sodum Bicarbonate in Sepsis: Still crazy after
all these years
Emergency
Department Coronary CT-A: A new "gold standard"?
Critical Appraisal:
Hypotensive Resuscitation in Trauma: Slow
fluids, no fluids or get out the pressure bags
July 2008
CAT:
Emergency Department
Coronary MRI: Ready for prime time or not?
Critical Appraisals:
Contrast Induced Nephropathy: An update on fluids, NAC or sodium bicarbonate?
Morphine,
Ketorolac or both in acute renal colic?
June 2008
JC gets a pass this month as we bid adieu to our seniors and prepare for the newbies. Take a look at the recent postings in the essay and article section.
We want to thank all for getting us to 10,000 unique visitors on 4 June.
May 2008
CATs:
What's the evidence in support of using hypertonic saline in the acute head injured patient?
Is the
re-packing of cutaneous abscesses cruel and unusual punishment?
Critical Appraisal:
Is oral contrast for CT necessary when evaluating patients with acute blunt abdominal trauma?
April 2008
CAT:
Critical Appraisals:
Article -
(Interact Trial Lancet Neurol. 2008 Apr 4)
Critical Appraisal: The Unload Trial Is ultrafiltration of utility in ED ptients with acute CHF?
Article - (The UNLOAD Trial J Am
Coll Cardiol 2007; 49:675-83)
March 2008
CATs:
Rapid Flu Testing: Is there an appropriate role for testing in the ED
February 2008
CATs:
The Full Moon and Emergency Department Visits: A howlingly good PICO by Dr. Lo appears to finally put the question to sleep.
Can Magnesium Sulfate be used safely and effectively for rate / rhythm control in atrial fibrillation?
January 2008
CATs:
Can B-Blockers
be used safely in cocaine abusers with chest pain due to ACS?
Is the CRP or Procalcitonin a better indicator for infection than the White Blood Cell Count?
Critical Appraisal:
In acute CHF, can B-blockers be considered a safe and effective adjunct to typical measures?
On Happiness: So money's not the answer after all
Art of Medicine: On admitting patients without discernable pathology (PWDP)
November 2007
Can ED OBS patients safely undergo
accelerated serial enzyme determinations?
Critical Appraisal: Steroids vs. Acyclovir
for Bell's Palsy?
Is CT of the C-spine in the multi-trauma patient sufficient or
is MRI necessary ?
Is Insulin Effective in Ca Channel Blocker
Overdose?
How About Nebulized Mg in Acute Asthma?
Factor VII in Acute Intracranial
Hemorrhage: A Critical Appraisal Original NEJM Article
September 2007
Should We be Using Absorbable Sutures More
Frequently?
Canadian vs. New Orleans Head CT Rules - original articles can be found in clinical tools section
Hespan vs. Crystalloid for Fluid Resusciation
August 2007
Is D-Dimer Useful for Diagnosing Thoracic Aneurysm?
Is Ultrasound Assistance for IJ Central Lines Preferred Over Landmark Techniques?
Is NAC Effective in Preventing Contrast
Induced Nephropathy?
July 2007
Are Early Thrombolitics Indicated in Submassive PE?
Do
Pre-Intubation Steroids Decrease Laryngeal Edema?
June 2007
JC Takes a vacation!
May 2007
Treating Pneumonia...The 4-hour "Rule"
Should Skin Abscesses be Rx'd with Antibiotics for MRSA?
Are False
Positive Troponins Common in Renal Failure?
April 2007
Should Kids with Cephalohematomas Undergo Head CT?
Is Lidocaine Necessary for RSI in Head Injury?
Should Steroids Be Used Early in Suspected Meningitis Cases?
March 2007
Is Etomidate Safe In Septic Shock?
How Does MRI compare to CT for Acute Stroke
How Does Coronary CT-A Compare to Stress Echo?
February 2007
Should we be core cooling post-resuscitation patients?
Are topical anesthetics effective for parenteral procedures?
Does
counseling regarding inappropriate ED visits work?
January 2007
Are Serial Lactic Levels Useful When Managing Sepsis?
Intra-articular Anesthetics Prior to Shoulder Reduction
Ketamine
vs. Etomidate for Pediatric Conscious Sedation
November 2006
Is 3 days sufficient treatment for acute UTI?
Should PVL's be ordered in those with negative CT-A and positive d-dimer?
Oral vs. IV rehydration in pediatric gastroenteritis?
October 2006
Is sodium bicarbonate effective in lactic acidosis?
Are hypotonic solutions effective in treating SC crisis?
Should we try to make our patients laugh?
September 2006
Is oral contrast needed for abdominal trauma CT?
Is the ED an appropriate place to screen for HIV?
Are rectal exams necessary in trauma patients?
August 2006
What is a "negative' D-Dimer in Pulmonary Embolism?
Are Steroids Indicated in Pharangytis?
Does Bicarb Cause Cerebral Edema in DKA?
July 2006
How do I-Stat troponons measure up?
Are TraumaticTap Ratios Reliable?
Should we be measuring post-Intubation cuff pressures?
Previously
Is propofol safe for conscious sedation?
Should we be treating asymptomatic hypertension?
Are Leukotriene Inhibitors Useful in ED Asthmatics?
Are Repeat Stress-Echos Useful in Low Risk Patients?
Is High Altitude Illness Prophylaxis Useful?
