6 Feb 2019

February 6, 2019

Written by REBEL Cast

Take Home Points

  1. Bed Up Head Elevated (BUHE) position is a simple intervention that can reduce the rate of intubation-related complications.
  2. The bougie should be considered standard practice in all intubations and has an NNT = 11 for 1st pass success.
  3. Consider using Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy for Airway Decontamination (SALAD) for all intubations to avoid the failed airway due to contamination.
Medical Categories: Procedures and Skills
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23 Jan 2019

January 23, 2019

Written by REBEL Cast
Take Home Points
  1. Single dose oral dexamethasone is an excellent choice for asthma exacerbations. It takes away the compliance issue for patients who have trouble getting medications or filling medications once they leave the ED.
  2. Antibiotics aren’t always indicated in COPD exacerbations, but are used much more frequently than in asthma exacerbations because the structural changes in the patient’s lung lead to increased bacterial colonization. In general, if the patient has increased cough or sputum production, they probably would benefit from a course of antibiotics
  3. In general, azithro alone is no longer a good choice as solo covereage for community acquired pneumonia.  Adding either amoxicillin or cefdinir to you amoxicillin should get you good coverage of both strep pneumo and atypicals.
Medical Categories: Thoracic and Respiratory
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9 Jan 2019

January 9, 2019

Written by REBEL Cast

Take Homes

  1. Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) toxicity usually present with bradycardia and hypotension, but with preserved mental status. This can help differential from Beta Blocker (BB) toxicity, where the patients often have altered mental status.
  2. Hyperglycemia is the other hallmark of CCB toxicity, which can help you differentiate from BB. This hyperglycemia may be a harbinger of impending circulatory collapse, so be on guard in a pt with CCB overdose, normal vitals and hyperglycemia
  3. Don’t be afraid to use and infuse hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia therapy for BB and CCB toxicity. Have a frank and open conversation with your team about how it works to get everyone on board before your start.
  4. TCA overdoses present with a a number of signs and symptoms including anticholinergic symptoms, AMS, hypotension and seizures. Once you identify the TCA toxicity, you’re going to start with fluids and pressors and then move on the antidote which is sodium bicarbonate 1-2 mEq/kg as a bolus followed by a drip. You want to keep pushing sodium bicarb until you see the QRS narrow
Medical Categories: Cardiovascular
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3 Jan 2019

January 3, 2019

Written by REBEL Cast

Introduction: Beyond the Data

The evolution from eminence-based to evidence-based care has come to define bedside emergency medicine, with rigorous skepticism and scholarly consideration accelerated by the power of global connectivity. Where anecdote and opinion once drove therapy, clinicians now approach clinical conundrums with deliberate reflection, expecting—and at times demanding--ever-higher proof of perfection prior to implementing or incorporating therapies, tests, or approaches into their own practice. Such cogitation ensures excellence and safety and avoids pitfalls of over-adoption or confounding. Unfortunately, so many of our daily decisions are made in a space devoid of definitive data, and require a synthesis of relevant literature with our accumulated knowledge and experience—a departure from evidence-based medicine into the pragmatic world of evidence-informed medicine. It is only at this precipice—where studies and statistics simply don’t exist—that we change, where we push forward the boundaries of care, and develop not only experience, but the very questions which will define the next advances in emergency medicine. It’s with this in mind that we present this REBEL post, an entry not so much a look back on manuscripts which dictate our practice, but a treatise to help us look forward. To not inform, but to inspire thought and inquiry.  
Medical Categories: Infectious Disease
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26 Dec 2018

December 26, 2018

Written by REBEL Cast, REBEL Core
REBEL EM-ers: Salim, Jenny and I would like to announce the launch of a new REBEL EM project. Beginning in 2019, we'll be adding a core content section to the website. This will include core content blog posts and a core content podcast with a dedicated place on the parent site. Instead of creating a separate podcast, we'll be bringing you REBEL Core Cast as part of REBEL Cast. This way, you won't need to download another podcast. Twice a month, Jenny and I will bring you a podcast based on a core topic in EM or based on pearls from our conferences. See you all in the New Year!
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