What is an emergency medicine doctor? The answer likely differs between a major academic centre and a rural hospital. Perhaps the simplest definition is any physician who staffs an emergency department (ED). When it comes to training, emergency medicine (EM) certainly holds the title of most heterogeneous specialty in Canada. While some physicians complete a five-year residency in EM and are Royal College certified, others complete a one-year EM fellowship after two years …
Sirens to Scrubs: Do you think I need stitches?
You are dispatched to Sam, an 87-year-old who cut the base of his thumb while pitting an avocado approximately 30 minutes ago. The laceration is 3cm long and you can see fatty tissue in the wound. Sam’s wife asks whether you think he will need stitches. You think that he will, but you’ve been wrong in the past, so you’re not sure how to answer her question. [bg_faq_start] About Sirens to Scrubs Sirens …
Sirens to Scrubs: Fever-Phobia
You’re transporting Milly, a 68y/o healthy woman to the hospital with a fever of 38.9C with a productive cough. As you offload her she asks for a blanket, so you ask your student to get her one while you start your paperwork. Your student, Vincent, later tells you that he was taught at school not to give blankets to febrile patients and asks you about your reasoning for giving one to Milly. [bg_faq_start] …
Sirens to Scrubs: Acute Coronary Syndromes, Part Three – Diagnosis and ED Management
In Part One of this series, we reviewed the pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), as well as some of the important features that should be elucidated on history-taking. In Part Two we discussed the current evidence-based practices for the management and transportation considerations in patients identified by paramedics to be suffering from a STEMI. In this third part, we will consider the series of events that occur when the care of a …
Sirens to Scrubs: Acute Coronary Syndromes, Part Two – To the Lab!
Disclaimer: The procedures and therapies discussed in this post are extrapolated from a number of ambulance services globally. This does not replace the direction of readers’ ambulance service clinical guidelines or protocols and should not be used in place of local guidelines or protocols. If you believe something in this post would benefit your ambulance service, contact your local medical director(s) before altering your own practice. In Part One of this series our …
Sirens to Scrubs: Acute Coronary Syndromes, Part One – Beyond Door-to-Balloon
Emergency Medical Services receives a 9-1-1 call for a 52-year-old female suffering with chest pain. As Paramedics rush to the scene, they discuss the physiology of Acute Coronary Syndromes… [bg_faq_start] About Sirens to Scrubs Sirens to Scrubs was created with the goal of helping to bridge the disconnect between pre-hospital and in-hospital care of emergency patients. The series offers in-hospital providers a glimpse into the challenges and scope of practice of out-of-hospital care …
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