scholarly journals When Minutes Matter: Rapid Infusion in Emergency Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Piehl ◽  
Chan W. Park
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Skull Fracture ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Rapid Infusion ◽  
Fluid Delivery ◽  
Emergency Medicine Physician ◽  
Medicine Physician

Abstract Purpose of Review This review provides historical context and an update on recent advancements in volume resuscitation for circulatory shock. Emergency department providers who manage critically ill patients with undifferentiated shock will benefit from the insights of early pioneers and an overview of newer techniques which can be used to optimize resuscitation in the first minutes of care. Recent Findings Rapid infusion of fluids and blood products can be a life-saving intervention in the management of circulatory and hemorrhagic shock. Recent controversy over the role of fluid resuscitation in sepsis and trauma management has obscured the importance of early and rapid infusion of sufficient volume to restore circulation and improve organ perfusion. Evidence from high-quality studies demonstrates that rapid and early resuscitation improves patient outcomes. Summary Current practice standards, guidelines, and available literature support the rapid reversal of shock as a key priority in the treatment of hypotension from traumatic and non-traumatic conditions. An improved understanding of the physiologic rationale of rapid infusion and the timing, volume, and methods of fluid delivery will help clinicians improve care for critically ill patients presenting with shock. Clinical Case A 23-year-old male presents to the emergency department (ED) after striking a tree while riding an all-terrain vehicle. On arrival at the scene, first responders found an unconscious patient with an open skull fracture and a Glasgow coma scale score of 3. Bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation was initiated, and a semi-rigid cervical collar was placed prior to transport to your ED for stabilization while awaiting air transport to the nearest trauma center. You are the attending emergency medicine physician at a community ED staffed by two attending physicians, two physicians assistants, and six nurses covering 22 beds. On ED arrival, the patient has no spontaneous respiratory effort, and vital signs are as follows: pulse of 140 bpm, blood pressure of 65/30 mmHg, and oxygen saturation 85% while receiving BVM ventilation with 100% oxygen. He is bleeding profusely through a gauze dressing applied to the exposed dura. The prehospital team was unable to establish intravenous access. What are the management priorities for this patient in shock, and how should his hypotension best be addressed?

Anesthesiologist and Emergency Medicine Physician Attitudes and Knowledge Regarding Etomidate for Intubation

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 1008-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Clinkard ◽  
Fran Priestap ◽  
Stacy Ridi ◽  
Eric Bruder ◽  
Ian M. Ball
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Physician Attitudes ◽  
Adrenal Suppression ◽  
Rapid Sequence Intubation ◽  
Induction Agent ◽  
Emergency Medicine Physician ◽  
Medicine Physician ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose: The use of etomidate as an induction agent for critically ill patients is controversial. While its favorable hemodynamic profile is enviable, etomidate has been shown to cause transient adrenal suppression. The clinical consequences of transient adrenal suppression are poorly understood. Anecdotally, some clinicians advocate strongly for etomidate, while others feel it can cause significant harm. To better understand the current clinical environment with respect to single-dose etomidate use in critically ill patients, Canadian anesthesiologists and Canadian emergency medicine (EM) physicians were questioned regarding their opinions, knowledge, and preferences about etomidate use as an induction agent. Methods: Invitations to participate with the electronic survey were sent to 100 Canadian EM physicians and 260 Canadian anesthesiologists. The survey had 4 general parts: demographics, familiarity with the current literature, choice of induction agent given various clinical scenarios, and opinions on the controversy. The Pearson γ2 test was used to detect whether significant differences exist between physician groups. Results: Ninety three anesthesiologists and 42 EM physicians responded for response rates of 36% and 42%. There were no self-reported differences in knowledge about etomidate properties between EM physicians and anesthesiologists. There were significant differences in etomidate use between EM physicians and anesthesiologists in general rapid sequence intubation, noncritically ill patients, and those with undifferentiated hypotension. Both EM physicians and anesthesiologists describe the current etomidate controversy as significant and not adequately resolved. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in self-reported etomidate knowledge between anesthesiologists and EM physicians; however, significant practice pattern differences exist with EM physicians using etomidate more often. Broad agreement supports future research to investigate etomidate’s impact in critically ill patients.

Harnessing the Chaplain’s Capacity to Identify Unmet Palliative Needs of Vulnerable Older Adults in the Emergency Department

2021 ◽  
pp. 082585972110033
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hamill Howard ◽  
Rachel Schwartz ◽  
Bruce Feldstein ◽  
Marita Grudzen ◽  
Lori Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Emergency Medicine Physician ◽  
Medicine Physician ◽  
One Year

Objective: To explore chaplains’ ability to identify unmet palliative care (PC) needs in older emergency department (ED) patients. Methods: A palliative chaplain-fellow conducted a retrospective chart review evaluating 580 ED patients, age ≥80 using the Palliative Care and Rapid Emergency Screening (P-CaRES) tool. An emergency medicine physician and chaplain-fellow screened 10% of these charts to provide a clinical assessment. One year post-study, charts were re-examined to identify which patients received PC consultation (PCC) or died, providing an objective metric for comparing predicted needs with services received. Results: Within one year of ED presentation, 31% of the patient sub-sample received PCC; 17% died. Forty percent of deceased patients did not receive PCC. Of this 40%, chaplain screening for P-CaRES eligibility correctly identified 75% of the deceased as needing PCC. Conclusion: Establishing chaplain-led PC screenings as standard practice in the ED setting may improve end-of-life care for older patients.

scholarly journals Subarachnoid hemorrhage in the emergency department

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sima Patel ◽  
Amay Parikh ◽  
Okorie Nduka Okorie
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Early Management ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Emergency Medicine Physician ◽  
Medicine Physician ◽  
Diagnostic Modalities ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhages

Abstract Background Subarachnoid hemorrhage accounts for more than 30,000 cases of stroke annually in North America and encompasses a 4.4% mortality rate. Since a vast number of subarachnoid hemorrhage cases present in a younger population and can range from benign to severe, an accurate diagnosis is imperative to avoid premature morbidity and mortality. Here, we present a straightforward approach to evaluating, risk stratifying, and managing subarachnoid hemorrhages in the emergency department for the emergency medicine physician. Discussion The diversities of symptom presentation should be considered before proceeding with diagnostic modalities for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Once a subarachnoid hemorrhage is suspected, a computed tomography of the head with the assistance of the Ottawa subarachnoid hemorrhage rule should be utilized as an initial diagnostic measure. If further investigation is needed, a CT angiography of the head or a lumbar puncture can be considered keeping risks and limitations in mind. Initiating timely treatment is essential following diagnosis to help mitigate future complications. Risk tools can be used to assess the complications for which the patient is at greatest. Conclusion Subarachnoid hemorrhages are frequently misdiagnosed; therefore, we believe it is imperative to address the diagnosis and initiation of early management in the emergency medicine department to minimize poor outcomes in the future.

Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hypoglycemia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel J Williams ◽  
Samantha L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Cerebral Edema ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Serum Glucose ◽  
Neurologic Function ◽  
Threat To Life

Abnormalities of serum glucose in pediatric patients are commonly encountered in the emergency department and represent an acute threat to life and neurologic function. Rapidly identifying and aggressively treating hyperglycemia with diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia are critical to ensure the best possible outcome. This review will guide the emergency provider in the identification, resuscitation, workup, and disposition of these critically ill patients. This review contains 6 figures, 13 tables, and 50 reviews. Key Words: Cerebral edema, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia

Patient Distribution of an Urban-Rural Emergency Medical Services System

1990 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Jastremski ◽  
Ronald J. Lagoe
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
One Year ◽  
Universal Applicability ◽  
Hospital Emergency Departments

AbstractThis study describes a series of mechanisms to alleviate overcrowding of hospital emergency departments by distributing critically ill patients among facilities with available resources. The initial mechanism, which was based on the availability of critical care beds, was used successfully between 1982 and 1986, but had to be abandoned when several new factors caused the availability of emergency department resources to become the limiting factor. A second approach, based on the availability of critical care and emergency department resources, produced limited success over a one-year period. The system currently in use, implemented in 1989, includes a distribution system based on the availability of emergency department resources and critical care beds, as well as a mechanism for diversion of ambulances to hospitals in neighboring counties at times of extremely high utilization. This experience demonstrates that mechanisms for planning the distribution of emergency and critically ill patients have universal applicability.

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