Top 10 Most Read Posts of 2020

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As 2020 comes to an end, we look forward to recognizing the year’s top 10 articles! Join me in congratulating this amazing group of authors at all levels of training and from across the United States!

Additionally, I would like to thank each of the AAEM/RSA Modern Resident Blog authors, reviewers, mentors, and editorial staff members for their tireless contributions to the blog. Without all of them, the blog would not be what it is today. Thanks for a successful 2020!

We are currently accepting articles for 2021 and are always looking for additional faculty mentors as well. Feel free to contact us at info@aaemrsa.org with questions.

Sincerely,

Alex Gregory, MD
Editor-in-Chief
AAEM/RSA Modern Resident Blog

Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio: Updates in Prognosticating Fournier Gangrene in the Emergency Department

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This post was peer reviewed.
Click to learn more.

Authors: Alessandra Della Porta, EMT-B, MSIIIUniversity of Miami School of Medicine

Kasha Bornstein, Msc Pharm, EMT-P, MSIV
AAEM/RSA Modern Resident Blog Copy Editor
University of Miami School of Medicine

Bottom Line Up Front:
Fournier gangrene (FG) is a necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) associated with high mortality rates, particularly when it is not suspected early, or interventions are initiated late in the course. Diagnosis is clinical and challenged by overlap with more superficial skin infections (i.e. cellulitis) and the need for thorough examination of the genital region. Imaging and laboratory analysis are not able to consistently rule out FG. While risk calculators exist, they are also limited in their utility for ruling out severity of illness. This brief article discusses use of the monocyte-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio; recently innovated, simple, and effective biomarkers for prognosticating NSTIs. 

Optimizing Medical Surge Capacity

Image credit: U.S. Department of Defense

This post was peer reviewed.
Click to learn more.

Authors: Mary Unanyan, OMS-I
Gregory Jasani, MD; AAEM/RSA Secretary Treasurer

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many to wonder whether our nation’s healthcare system can properly treat all of the projected critically ill patients. Experts worry that the sudden increase in sick patients may overwhelm existing healthcare resources. One way to determine how well hospitals are able to respond to this pandemic is to look at the “surge capacity” of the health system.

Medical surge capacity is a measure of the ability of a health system to manage care for a sudden increased volume of patients beyond the normal operating capacity.¹