Tactical Medicine News Blog

Background: In the United States we are not only seeing an opioid epidemic but also a shortage of IV opioid agents. For both reasons, it is important to find non-opioid options for common pain complaints seen in the ED.  Changing prescribing practices is difficult but an important step in minimizing opioid usage.  Current research suggests that even short term opioid use can cause a predisposition to subsequent opioid dependence. In the spirit of doing no harm, we as a healthcare community should look to find other less harmful ways to decrease pain and suffering.  In this episode, we will review four randomized clinical trials published in the past year on pain control to see if there is evidence to support other non-opioid options.

Penetrating fishhook injuries can be a common occurrence during the warm weather months. Initially, it is important to evaluate what type of fishhook was being used. How many and where are the barbs? What shape is it (treble hook, single hook)? The physical examination requires a thorough neurovascular exam and, if penetration depth is difficult to assess, radiographs should be utilized for further evaluation. What approach do you use to remove these barbed fishhooks?

Dr. Jennifer Stahl is an emergency and critical care physician from North Carolina. Despite juggling busy ED and ICU schedules, Dr. Stahl finds ways to stay active and spend time with her family and friends. From eating well, to practicing reflection and mindfulness, Dr. Stahl has more than a few tips on wellness. Here’s how she stays healthy in EM!

Rallies by white supremacists in Charlottesville, VA and the subsequent milquetoast response from the White House shocked many Americans. These events invoked a national discussion about how many of our public monuments, built to celebrate triumphs and critical moments from our country’s past, can also exhibit appalling acts of malevolence and cruelty, treatment that today is unacceptable. Similarly, our understanding of medical history has evolved. While many of us are aware of particular atrocities, such as the Tuskegee study or the nonconsensual obtaining of Hela cells from Henrietta Lacks, these stories are by no means isolated, and there are times in our country’s history in which harm was bestowed upon vulnerable populations, especially African Americans. Medical Apartheid unveils the long history of medical experimentation performed on African Americans and highlights some of the origins of our country’s health disparities. We provide a synopsis and discuss the book in greater detail on the Google Hangout below.

Rebellion in EM May 11th – 13th, 2018 San Antonio, TX Venue: Pearl Stable Website: www.rebellioninem.com