EREM: Pitfalls and Perils of Emergency Department Discharge Instructions
July 6, 2015
In the emergency department (ED), failure to comply with discharge instructions has been associated with an increased rate of adverse outcomes for patients. 1,2 There...
Matthew DeLaney, MD
4 Pitfalls of Bedside Ultrasonography During First Trimester Pregnancy
April 13, 2015
One of the more common indications for the use of bedside ultrasound (US) is to evaluate patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with...
Brian Bauerband, MD
High risk back pain: Spinal Epidural Abscess
September 25, 2014
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but potentially catastrophic cause of back pain. Classically these patients are described as having back pain, fever, and clear...
High risk back pain: Cauda Equina Syndrome (EREM)
June 9, 2014
Cauda equina syndrome (CES), which occurs due to compression of the distal lumbar and sacral nerve roots, is a potentially devastating cause of back pain....
Beware of fluoroquinolones: You, your patient, and the FDA
April 7, 2014
Fluoroquinolones are a widely used class of antibiotic that are effective in treating a wide variety of infections. Despite their popularity there is increasing concern...
Is the Patient Sober? Clinical Sobriety versus Blood Alcohol Concentration
March 6, 2014
There is significant practice variability when providers are asked to determine if a patient is intoxicated. Some providers will evaluate a patient to determine if...
AMA: 2 high risk myths and misconceptions
February 10, 2014
Patients who leave the emergency department against medical advice (AMA) are at an increased risk of having a bad medical outcome, and can be a...
“Is there a doctor on-board?” 5 tips for dealing with in-flight emergencies
January 27, 2014
On average, in-flight medical emergencies occur about 15 times per day. When asked by flight crews to help in a medical emergency, providers have fairly...
The proper way to go Against Medical Advice (AMA): 8 Elements to Address
January 13, 2014
Case Example: 42 y/o male presents with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and has significant tenderness at McBurney’s point on exam. While waiting for a...