There are many “medical myths” that require reconsideration from time to time (ex, cuffed ETTs). Some are less mythological and more misconceptions, misunderstandings, or just related to evolution of information and technology (ex, absorbable sutures for wound closure). This brings…
Ok, so maybe Homer has the wrong idea about “Fat Embolism”… I think he should be more worried about a devastating Food Impaction… but, with the Holidays upon us and the prevalence of fatty foods surrounding, me I began to…
We are always on the lookout for the big, bad, and ugly causes of our patients’ complaints in the Emergency Department. Someone has epistaxis and we think about bleeding disorders. If a patient is limping, we know it may be…
While we often consider the Emergency Department as being present only for “major” problems, we all know that our services go well beyond the critically ill and majorly injured. Often those “minor” issues can occupy a lot of our shift…
So it is Friday the 13th in the year 2020… and I awoke in a cold sweat concerned. Concerned about what you ask? (I mean it is still 2020, isn’t that enough to be concerned about on its own?) Concerned…
It seems that my patients teach me something new almost every clinical shift. Perhaps it is because I am getting older and have forgotten a lot. Maybe I have just seen more to ask questions about. I would like to…
One of the greatest challenges (and also most stimulating) aspects of our profession is staying current with the evolving literature and recommendations. Yes, it can be frustrating, but it is also rewarding to be in a career that will never…
Last week was a highly productive week for my educational enlightenment. I learned that not all Compartment Syndrome is Acute… it can be Chronic as well. I also learned that there is a cross over between the application of Honey…
Just when you think you have a handle on patient complaints and have a refined working differential diagnosis list for each complaint, a patient comes to teach you something new… and humbles you. Fortunately, I live in a general state…
While the current COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced travel (especially for those of us in the USA… hmmm… who would have thought a US passport would be of such little value?) we are all acutely aware of the potential benefits…