II. Updates: December 2013 Highlights
-
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate 4 factor (PCC4)
- PCC4 is now available in the United States (trade name Kcentra)
- Now recommended in CHEST guidelines for Warfarin Reversal in life threatening bleeding
- Very effective, but at 20 times the cost ($4500 per dose)
-
Microscopic Hematuria in Adults
- Updated the evaluation protocol (significant changes, with more detailed approach)
- Don't ignore persistent Microscopic Hematuria <3 cells/hpf
- Urine cytology and Bladder Cancer markers are not recommended for primary care use (cystoscopy is a better tool)
-
Onychomycosis
- General update reinforcing that there is still no magic bullet to treat nail fungus
- Another expensive therapy (Nd:YAG laser) finds a niche with no better efficacy than the $4/month oral Terbinafine
- Acute Headache
- Not all new and different Headaches need head imaging
- New location or Headache not relieved with typical home Headache regimen does not necessarily warrant head imaging
- Head imaging is indicated in a new Headache in age over 50 years old even with a normal Neurologic Exam
- Thunderclap Headache presenting within 6 hours of onset, normal neuro exam, no Neck Pain
- CT read by radiologist may be sufficient without LP in a reliable patient who understands the SAH miss rate of at least 1 in 700
- Not all new and different Headaches need head imaging
-
Testicular Torsion
- Nothing has changed: Time is Testicle and consider attempt at manual detorsion if surgical delay
- As good as Ultrasound is, there is a 1% False Negative Rate (negative Ultrasound does not trump high clinical suspicion)
-
Smell Dysfunction and Taste Dysfunction
- Olfactory Dysfunction causes 95% of altered Taste Sensation and nasal and sinus disease is the most common cause
-
Arthropod Bites
- Updated Tick Bite, Spider Bite, Diptera, Chigger Bite and various other Arthropod Bites
- Another benefit of Vegetarian lifestyle: No risk of Anaphylaxis from alpha-gal sensitivity (induced by Lone Star Tick)
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- New DSM-V diagnostic criteria are similar to the old (except helplessness is no longer required criteria)
- Screen for Suicidality early in the evaluation
- SSRI and SNRI along with CBT are still first-line treatment with little evidence for mood stabilizers and avoid Benzodiazepines
-
Digital Nerve Block
- One injection (using a modified Transthecal Digital Block) is as effective as the typical multiple injection Digital Block
-
Ventilator Troubleshooting
- Following the DOTTS Mnemonic on intervening with Ventilator problems
- BIPAP or NIPPV (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure, Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation)
- Reviewed parameters and adjustment
- Ordered Marino, Owens and Nourbakhsh books to review Ventilators - expect updates on this in the coming year
-
Emergency Pediatric Dosing (i.e. Broselow Tape)
- Created 13 pages with pre-calculated pediatric emergency doses (bringing together multiple sources)
- Expanding on pre-calculated pediatric weight and length based RSI, Advanced Airway and Resuscitation medications/devices
- In the future, will add Status Epilepticus dosing and other emergency medications
-
Intraosseous Line (EZ-IO)
- Two alternative sites to the proximal tibia: Superior to medial malleolus at distal tibia or into greater tuberosity of anterolateral Shoulder
- Updated the technique for insertion and removal
- Don't forget: 5 mm mark should be visible when needle adjacent to bone prior to using needle driver
-
ResQPOD (Impedance Threshold Device)
- Lowering intrathoracic pressure seems like a great idea for increasing venous return
- Unfortunately the follow-up studies did not show as much benefit as the inital studies
-
Status Epilepticus
- Re-reviewed pediatic Status Epilepticus protocols - same as before with alternative options
- Consider Keppra instead of Phenytoin/phosphenytoin
- Consider Valproic Acid instead of Phenobarbital
- Consider Ketamine or Propofol
-
Hydrocodone
- Acetaminophen combinations (Vicodin) change to have 300 mg Acetaminophen max
- Hydrocodone will likely be Schedule II by spring 2014
-
Influenza
- Influenza Vaccine has greatest efficacy in children and COPD
- Tamiflu does NOT reduce Influenza complications (Pneumonia, mortality) including in the elderly and chronically ill
-
Bariatric Surgery
- Detailed guidelines added on medications following Obesity Surgery
-
Bedside Ultrasound
- Re-reviewed emergency Ultrasound and protocols (e.g. Blue Protocol, RUSH Protocol, Emergency Echocardiogram)
- On Bedside Ultrasound, 85% of PEA patients have mechanical cardiac contractions (Pseudo-EMD)
-
Medical Cognitive Errors
- Prevent diagnostic errors with the mnemonic "When U RACE, tie your LACES"
-
HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis
- Simplified regimen is 3 drugs for all regimens (regardless of exposure volume or source viral load)
- Preferred regimen (for 4 weeks)
- Raltegravir (Isentress or RAL) 400 mg orally twice daily AND
- Truvada (Tenofovir/Viread/TDF 300 mg and Emtricitabine/Emtriva/FTC 200 mg) one orally once daily
-
Topical Hemostatic Agents
- Updated with the old standbys for procedural bleeding (Drysol, Monsel's Solution, Silver Nitrate, Surgicel)
- Split out these individual products for minor bleeding and the newer agents in major bleeding
-
Smoke Inhalation
- Carboxyhemoglobin is a reflex lab for Smoke Inhalation, but don't forget Lactic Acid as a surrogate for cyanide Poisoning
- Added Clinical Images
- Added images to IJ Line, IO Line, Endotracheal Intubation Preparation, Bag Valve Mask, Chest Tube, Small Caliber Chest Tube
- Also added images to Oral Airway, Aerochamber with Mask
III. Updates: November 2013 Highlights
- Primary Care
- Emergency Medicine
- Orthostatic Blood Pressures are worthless
- Inferior Vena Cava Ultrasound for Volume Status is a better gauge of fluid Resuscitation response
- Passive Leg Raise Maneuver is a clever way to predict fluid bolus responsiveness
- Endovascular CVA Management is not better than TPA (three studies in 2013)
- Rapid Sequence Induction without paralysis (significant cautionary notes)
- Ultrasensitive Troponin T (with interpretation protocol)
- Delirium
- Orthostatic Blood Pressures are worthless
IV. Updates: October 2013 Highlights
- Pearls for common topics
- Acute Otitis Media
- Antibiotic courses are 10 days for every one under 2 years old
- Effective Antibiotics are limited to Amoxicillin, Augmentin, Cephalosporins (2nd and 3rd gen.) and Clindamycin
- Observation Protocol for Acute Otitis Media Management
- Indicated for 6 months and older without severe symptoms and 2 years and older regardless of symptoms
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Women 40-60 years old with new or atypical, severe, unrelenting Headache with occipital or orbital Headache and neck spasm
- How often Tension Headaches present in a similar manner
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage frequently presents as initial days to weeks of severe, persistent or Recurrent Headache (herald bleed)
- Often followed by a severe catastrophic bleed with much worse outcomes if not diagnosed at initial herald bleed
- Women 40-60 years old with new or atypical, severe, unrelenting Headache with occipital or orbital Headache and neck spasm
- Acute Otitis Media
- Primary care updates (highlights)
- Emergency Medicine Updates (highlights)
-
Pharmacology Updates (highlights)
- Drug warnings about Fluoroquinolones, Mefloquine, and Acetaminophen skin reactions
- P-Glycoprotein Drug Interactions
V. Updates: September 2013 Highlights
-
Advanced Airway, Endotracheal Intubation
- Attended Practical Airway Course (Levitan, Baltimore)
-
Pituitary Adenomas
- September 1, 2013 issue of American Family Physician
-
Hernias
- September 2013 Critical Decisions in Emergency Medicine
-
Congenital Heart Defects and the Crashing Newborn
- September 2013 EM:Rap
- Assorted risks regarding multiple medications (Prescriber's Letter)
- Strong risks - Ketoconazole
- Warnings - Mefloquine (Lariam), Plavix after CVA
- Uproven risks - Amlodipine, Fish Oil
VI. Updates: August 2013 Highlights
-
Tourniquets and Topical Hemostatic Agents
- August 2013 Critical Decisions in Emergency Medicine
-
Hypocalcemia, Hypercalcemia and Hyperparathyroidism associated with Parathyroid disorders
- August issue of American Family Physician
- Acidity of IV fluids (Crystalloid acidity)
- Scott Weingart of the EMCrit blog describes this on EM:Rap