Category Environmental

“Happy New Year — Now don’t hurt yourself!”

As the life cycle of another year begins again, we prepare to reflect on the past and celebrate the future… and those of us working in the emergency departments prepare ourselves for the results of exuberance. Certainly alcohol-related injuries will…

Hypothermia in a Neonate

Well, it is officially cold now and this fact was highlighted during my last shift in the Peds ED when two patients presented with parents concerned for their children having “low temperatures.” This begs the questions (and was actually later…

Oral Rehydration Therapy for Acute GastroEnteritis

This time of year brings so many fond memories to mind: jumping in piles of leaves (after someone else rakes them preferably), breaking out the wind-breaker jackets, going to football games, and carving pumpkins. All fun things!! Another memory that…

Diarrhea and the Petting Zoo

Now that it is “Summer Time”, and everyone is out of school (driving their respective parents crazy (or at least in my home)), there will be more frequent trips to the Zoo and to Pools. This effort to save some…

Contrast Dye and Breastfeeding

Working in the Pediatric ED will often make you the default expert in ALL realms of pediatrics. Even if the actual patient isn’t a child, the issue may revolve around concerns for a child… and you are the lucky one…

Ethanol Poisoning

Excited to work in the ED this St. Patrick’s Day/Weekend? Me too! Keep this in mind though: Ethanol Poisoning Ethanol is found in many beverages and products (liquor, mouthwash, cold preparations, cologne, perfume, after-shave). The classic triad of Ethanol overdose…

Child Abuse

An estimated 2,815,600 children are harmed or endangered by their caretakers annually Bruises and Fractures are the most common injuries seen with abuse, but also occur frequently from accidents (I’ve certainly seen more accidental bruises and broken bones than abusive……