CME Archive

by Al Sacchetti, MD on July 29, 2011

There was a time when determining how to sedate a child for a CT of the head was a major factor to consider in determining the risk-benefit ratio for obtaining the study. With the speed of today’s new multi-slice CT machines this decision-making process has all but been eliminated. However, as in all other areas of medicine, nothing is ever absolute, and there still are scenarios that will require the sedation of a child for a diagnostic study.

Just How Good is Nebulized Fentanyl in Kids?

by Ghazala Sharieff, MD on June 23, 2011

Children often present to the emergency department with acute pain and the issue of rapid and effective pain control is a top priority for providers. This journal club evaluates the use of nebulized fentanyl as an effective medication that can be administered painlessly prior to the initiation of IVs.

LPs: Stop Managing by Myth

by Kevin Klauer, DO, EJD on May 27, 2011

If you want to read a medical fairly tale, pick up an older textbook and read the chapter on lumbar punctures. Although you won’t read about unicorns or dragons, some of the recommendations are no less mythical. Let’s take a shot at disproving these myths with a silver bullet of truth.

Ketamine Use in Children

by Ghazala Sharieff, MD on April 27, 2011

As the search for the ideal sedative agent continues, ketamine continues to be a safe and effective choice. This journal club will review the literature on NPO time, anti-emetics, atropine, and head injury in relation to ketamine use.

When to allow family presence during resuscitation

by Patrick Barrett, MD & Kirsten G. Engel, MD on March 15, 2011

As I wrap up my emergency medicine residency and enter the “real world” after so many years of training, I look back and see how my clinical practices have changed considerably. I no longer place a certain order just because that is “what you do,” but because the result is significant in my medical decision-making.

Children with Fever

by Whitney Plaster on February 28, 2011

Are steroids necessary for bacterial meningitis? When do urine cultures become positive in relation to duration of fever? This journal club will review some key articles on fever in children and will help us with the management of febrile infants who present shortly after immunizations. Read more

Children with Abdominal Trauma

by Ghazala Sharieff, MD on December 15, 2010

Is there benefit to routine hospital admission in children with blunt abdominal trauma who have a negative abdominal CT? Do we really have to worry about children with a “seat belt” sign? Are there physical examination findings that can help identify children at risk for intra-abdominal injury?

Detecting Delirium in the ED

by Christopher R. Carpenter, MD, MSc & Jin H. Han, MD, MSc on November 25, 2010

Eight hours ago, the 80-year old female in room one arrived from home pleasant and cooperative after suffering a standing-level fall. She’d been ambulating to the bathroom during the commercials for her favorite evening TV show, Wipe Out.

Vampires & Werewolves in the ED?

by Timothy Erickson, MD on October 20, 2010

The patient is a 46-year-old male who presents to the ED at night with agitation and delusional episodes lasting several hours. During these episodes, he has sensations of hair growth on his face, trunk, and arms. Occasionally, he becomes convinced that the hair growth is real. He thinks these changes will make him appear to be a wolf, and avoids seeing his face or body whenever possible.

Dealing with Difficult Parents

by Ghazala Sharieff, MD on September 14, 2010

Parents and caregivers are becoming more involved in healthcare discussions and the internet era has led to significant concerns for providers as a little knowledge is worse than no knowledge at all. Parents will often have predetermined expectations of what the ED visit should entail and will already have their own differential diagnosis and treatment plan in mind...

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