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Watch Closely for Surge in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Cases

The list of long-term health problems affecting patients after recovering from COVID-19 continues growing. One of these lesser-known conditions is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Although treatments for POTS exist, the condition often is missed or misdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary suffering and anxiety for patients. However, given the condition’s recent visibility, frontline providers could gain a new understanding of POTS while also providing patients with a fast, accurate explanation for their symptoms.

Healthcare Workers, Hospital Systems Clash Over Vaccine Mandates

While it may be hard to understand why a person at higher risk for contracting the virus might take issue with this requirement, the idea of mandating the vaccine as a condition of employment is simply too strong a push for some. However, a coalition of healthcare organizations is calling on all medical facilities to mandate the vaccines.

EDs Boost COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts

Some emergency providers may view COVID-19 vaccinations as another task piled on an already-full plate. However, EDs are uniquely positioned to reach many underserved and high-risk populations that have yet to receive protection from COVID-19.

Drugs of Abuse in Trauma Patients Part II: Central Nervous System Depressants

Drugs of abuse are commonly encountered in the trauma setting. Patient care may be affected by acute intoxication and chronic use of these substances. Central nervous system depressants can result in coma and respiratory depression in severe toxicity. The authors discuss common presentations, potential complications, and management of central nervous system depressants in the context of a trauma patient.

National Orgs Back COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Healthcare Workers

Groups call for action as cases and hospitalizations surge again.

Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Emergency Department

Autism spectrum disorder is a very individual diagnosis with individual needs, which generally can be best described by the patients themselves or an advocate who has presented with the patient. Patience, accommodation, and flexibility are key skills to the clinical care of patients with autism spectrum disorder.

Dexmedetomidine Compared to Propofol for Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Sepsis

The MENDS2 trial found that dexmedetomidine, when used for light sedation, had outcomes similar to those for propofol.

Interleukin-6 Antagonists in the Treatment of Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia

These two trials had disparate findings with respect to interleukin-6 inhibition, with REMAP-CAP showing a benefit and COVACTA showing none.

Is There a Role for Immunomodulatory Therapy in COVID-19 Cytokine Storm?

In this retrospective analysis of COVID-19 patients hospitalized with cytokine storm, the use of corticosteroids combined with tocilizumab was associated with superior survival when compared to no immunomodulatory treatment; a combination of corticosteroids and anakinra; or corticosteroids, tocilizumab, or anakinra alone. Patients who received corticosteroids, either alone or in combination with anakinra, also experienced lower hospital mortality compared to no treatment.

Throat Infections Part II: Deadly, Must-not-Miss, Pediatric Throat Infections

Although less frequent than the conditions discussed in part I, recognition of the critical, life-threatening throat infections is essential. Ill-appearing pediatric patients with a change in voice or stridor should prompt a rapid and thorough evaluation to ensure expedited management. This article reviews the critical, must-not-miss etiologies of a sore throat.