ACLS 2010 – Bradycardias

This video goes over the algorithm for bradycardias. I love the fact that they really simplified everything quite a bit. I'm not as sleepy in this video... no, I actually am. The key points are really that the main drug here is atropine. If that doesn't work then you can try one of three options: … Continue reading ACLS 2010 – Bradycardias →

ACLS 2010 – Cardiac Arrest

Here are the 2010 ACLS Guidelines for Cardiac Arrest. This catch-all category encompasses anything without a pulse, but what had previously been separated out into the separate rhythms of ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, asystole and pulseless electrical activity. I love the fact that they simplified this into one algorithm - and they stress: early, … Continue reading ACLS 2010 – Cardiac Arrest →

Inservice in the Breakroom: ACLS 2010 – Intro

Here's an introduction to ACLS 2010, an important skill we all need to know. I'm trying a different way to get the information across. Sorry about the sedate voice, but the kids are sleeping so I have to be quiet. Let me know if you have any questions. These three videos cover airway. I'll be … Continue reading Inservice in the Breakroom: ACLS 2010 – Intro →

ACLS 2010 – Intro & Airway

Here's an introduction to ACLS 2010, an important skill you should pick up not only for your ER rotation, but for all your rotations! Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be putting up more vids as I make 'em. Again, leave me feedback in the comments. The first part of ACLS is … Continue reading ACLS 2010 – Intro & Airway →

Intro 03: Presenting Patients (in 3 minutes?)

Following the same method as when you evaluate patients, you should present patients in a similar way. In this video I go over a method I based on C. Davenport's paper (see the website for the reference). Here's a link to the PDF I made while making the video. Again, let me know what you … Continue reading Intro 03: Presenting Patients (in 3 minutes?) →

Intro 02: Secondary Survey

Here's the second video, on how to perform a focused history and physical (using your differential diagnosis) and then assigning pretest probabilities and ordering diagnostic tests.

Intro 01: Triage and Primary Survey

I didn't like the way the first videos came out, so I re-recorded them differently here. In this one, you'll follow a patient (me) who develops chest pain then makes the decision to come to the ER. After calling an ambulance, the patient is triaged (sorted) and then the doctor (you) assesses the primary survey … Continue reading Intro 01: Triage and Primary Survey →

Neuro 01: Treatment of Status Epilepticus

This is a 12 minute review of the treatment of status epilepticus in the Emergency Department. I'm still playing with the format so feel free to tell me what you like and what you don't like, what works and what doesn't. Do you feel that this actually teaches you something? When we work together in … Continue reading Neuro 01: Treatment of Status Epilepticus →

Inservice in the Breakroom: New ACLS Guidelines – Part 1

The American Heart Association released the 2010 Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) earlier this month. We can look at the different guidelines in subsequent posts, but this month, we'll review the Executive Summary. The summary stresses the changes from prior recommendations. The most evident change is the stress put on … Continue reading Inservice in the Breakroom: New ACLS Guidelines – Part 1 →

Inservice in the Break Room: Therapeutic Hypothermia

On the topic of critical care, I thought we could bring up the idea of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest. We're talking about a patient who comes in with v-fib or v-tach arrest (for less than 25-30 minutes) and is shocked, their rhythm is restored but they're still not getting up. What to do? Cooling … Continue reading Inservice in the Break Room: Therapeutic Hypothermia →