You respond lights and sirens to a popular lunch spot near the provincial legislature for a man choking. You find 56-year-old Jeff clutching at his chest, struggling to breathe and looking very panicked. Around him are dozens of other patrons looking equally panicked, uncertain of what to do. After performing a primary survey on Jeff and assisting him to your stretcher, your partner, who had been at the table talking to Jeff’s wife, …
Blood and Clots Series: Diagnosing pulmonary embolism in pregnancy
All the content from the Blood & Clots series can be found here. CanMEDS Roles addressed: Medical Expert Case Description A pregnant 32 year old female presents to the ER with chest pain. She is 33 weeks gestational age, and this is her third pregnancy (two prior uneventful deliveries). Her pain started 3 hours ago while she was watching television. It is sharp, worse with inspiration, and located along the right costal margin. …
CJEM Visual Abstract: Removing patient clothing in trauma
View PostExam Series: Guide to the Shoulder Exam
A 58 year old right hand dominant painter presents to the emergency department with right shoulder pain. The pain started after he returned a particularly forceful serve during a tennis match earlier that afternoon. He states that it has a similar quality to the shoulder pain he typically feels at night, but more intense and not improving with analgesia. He did not feel a “pop” or other mechanical symptoms, but has dislocated that …
CRACKCast E192 – Airway
View PostHiQuiPs: Quality of Care and the ED
You have just finished a busy ED shift on a warm summer evening and feel that you have been able to help a lot of people today. You plan to visit a patio and relax as you have earned it! On your way out you overhear a patient and their family members saying that they came to this ED because they heard it was “the best”, and they would never go back to …