In-Flight Emergencies

Author: Kenneth Young, MD
Emergency Medicine Resident
University of Chicago

This post was peer reviewed.
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Hearing the words “Is there a doctor on the plane?” may strike fear or excitement into your heart as an emergency physician (or a welcome feeling of relief as you squeeze out of a cramped middle seat). What are your legal and ethical requirements? What resources are available in the plane or for support from the ground? What legal ramifications could you face, should the patient have a poor outcome? Can you order the plane to land? But first and foremost, do you spring into action or cower quietly in your seat pretending to watch NBC reruns?

Management of Suicide Attempts in the Emergency Department

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Author: Felix Matos Padilla, MSV
Medical Student
Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) School of Medicine

This post was peer reviewed.
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Suicide is by far the most common cause of premature death among patients with major mood and psychotic disorders.[1] Attempted suicide is defined as a nonfatal self-inflicted destructive act with the explicit or implicit intent to die.[2] In 2008, a total of 36,035 persons died as a result of suicide, and approximately 666,000 persons visited hospital emergency departments (EDs) for nonfatal self-inflicted injuries [3] With this in mind, it is fundamental for an emergency physician to know how to handle a suicide attempt.

Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis

Author: Meaghan Mercer, DO
Emergency Medicine Resident
University of Nevada School of Medicine
AAEM/RSA Immediate Past President

This post was peer reviewed.
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A 19 year old otherwise healthy female presents to the ED with five weeks of changed behavior with increasing agitation, paranoia, violent behavior, and facial tics. The patient has no psychiatric history and has had no recent infections, trauma, fever, or change in eating habits. The patient’s basic labs (including urine drug screen) and CT brain are normal. So, what the heck is going on….

Cardiac Infarctions Under Disguise

This post was peer reviewed.
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Author: Joshua Bowers, DO 

Emergency Medicine Resident
Adena Regional Medical Center

Ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease (CAD) are two of the leading causes of death among adults in developed countries.[6] Patients with these disorders can present to the emergency department with problems that fall anywhere along the spectrum of clinical diseases referred to as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ACS is the result of myocardial ischemia and can range from unstable angina to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that requires emergent intervention. STEMI requires immediate recognition; however not all STEMIs present with elevations on the initial standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).[1]

In general, ECGs provide a rapid way to evaluate for signs of cardiac ischemia and rhythm disturbances. While the ECG is one of the best tests in the emergency department to assess and evaluate the evolution of ACS, ECGs have limitations. One of these limitations is the inability to evaluate the posterior wall.[3,6]

Free Resource! 50 Drugs Every EP Should Know

Authors: Steve Elsbecker, DO and Aryan J. Rahbar, PharmD BCPS
University Medical Center of Southern Nevada

Source: Flickr

Looking for a quick drug reference on medications used frequently in emergency medicine (EM)? Do you wish that this reference was presented in card format for brief study sessions? Do you like getting stuff for free? If you answered yes to all three questions then you should check out the new resource, 50 Drugs Every Emergency Physician Should Know, available for download at the American Academy of Emergency Medicine/Resident Student Association (AAEM/RSA) website.