Browse Emergency Articles by Topic

The Opioid Minefield

The opioid epidemic has become not only a public health crisis, but also a political one. Legislative activity at the state and federal levels of government has reached a fever pitch, the ramifications of which certainly will affect the practice of emergency medicine.

Airway Management in Trauma

The process of airway management has evolved considerably to include rapid sequence intubation (RSI), the use of various procedures, and sophisticated devices designed to assist in the placement of an endotracheal tube. This article summarizes the basic concepts of airway management, the technique of RSI, and post-intubation management in trauma patients.

Advanced Imaging in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Any clinician who may have a role in the initial triage and management of these patients would be well-served to have an understanding of the currently available imaging modalities and techniques, and the applications of each in the evaluation of acute ischemic stroke.

Opioid Crisis Affects Sickle Cell Patients Presenting With Related Pain

Experts note that opioids are still a first-line therapy for patients with sickle cell disease, but providers are reluctant to prescribe opioids in the current climate.

Medical Home Within ED Serves Needs of Sparsely Populated Region

North Carolina facility serves as one model for healthcare delivery redesign in rural communities where outcomes have not kept pace with their urban counterparts.

How to Respond to an Unusual Hepatitis A Outbreak

Recently, several regions in the United States have experienced unusual outbreaks of hepatitis A (HAV). The most severe of these outbreaks is in San Diego, where emergency providers have taken extra steps to identify patients with HAV promptly and to offer vaccinations to patient groups deemed most at risk.

Targeted Management of Headaches for Emergency Physicians

Headaches are one of the most prevalent and disabling categories of disorders worldwide. Emergency healthcare providers are in a unique position to provide management of acute attacks, exclude emergent causes, educate patients, initiate some forms of preventive treatment, refer patients for appropriate outpatient workup and management of chronic headaches, and clarify and provide feedback regarding diagnostic criteria.

Oncologists and Intensivists Perceive Prognosis Differently for Critically Ill Patients With Cancer

When considering prognostication or limitation of care in critically ill patients with different cancers, oncologists may focus on cancer characteristics, whereas intensivists may focus on multiple organ failure.

Deflating Recruitment Maneuvers

Compared to the ARDSNet lower positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)/low tidal volume strategy, use of an “open lung ventilation” strategy consisting of aggressive alveolar recruitment maneuvers and higher PEEP is associated with higher mortality in patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Right Heart Failure in the ICU

Right ventricular (RV) failure continues to be a formidable clinical challenge in critical care medicine. Regardless of the etiology, pulmonary hypertension and RV failure carries a poor prognosis. Prompt identification and treatment is warranted. Unfortunately, there is considerable lack of evidence in the management of RV failure in the medical ICU. Most recommendations are based on expert opinion or low-quality evidence.