
Always On EM - Mayo Clinic Emergency Medicine
Hosts, Alex Finch, MD and Venk Bellamkonda, MD explore topics relevant to the practice, education or research of emergency medicine. Enjoy interviews with people on the front lines, thought leaders from around the world, and the comedy and drama of life when it intersects with emergency care.
Follow us on X: @AlwaysOnEM
Email: AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com
Latest episodes

Aug 14, 2024 • 54min
Grand Rounds - Dr. Rich Griffey - Subcutaneous Insulin in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (SQUID Protocol)
This past winter, Dr. Rich Griffey, healthcare quality leader from Washington University School of Medicine and Emergency Medicine, came to present grand rounds on a new way to care for patients with mild to moderate DKA, which they call the SQuID protocol. This talk serves to inspire us to look even at some of our well established conditions and see what we could do differently, as well as appreciate the value that healthcare quality improvement integrated with research methods and implementation science thinking can do when they all come together for the improvement of patient care. Come be inspired with us!
CONTACTS
X - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
YouTube - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch
Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com
WANT TO WORK AT MAYO?
EM Physicians: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/emergencymedicine
EM NP PAs: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/em-nppa-jobs
Nursing/Techs/PAC: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/Nursing-Emergency-Medicine
EMTs/Paramedics: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/ambulanceservice
All groups above combined into one link: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/EM-Jobs

Aug 1, 2024 • 50min
Chapter 33 - it’s not all iodine and shellfish - A fresh take on contrast related anaphylaxis
Dr. Ronna Campbell, professor of emergency medicine, and passionate anaphylaxis researcher schools Alex and Venk on several issues related to contrast-related anaphylaxis. She helps clarify an approach to managing ED situations where a contrasted CT is desired yet the patient has documented anaphylaxis to iodine, or how to treat a patient who returns with unexpected reaction after receiving contrasted imaging. Can you be allergic to Iodine? What is the relationship between shellfish allergy history and contrast? What is the role of steroids in anaphylaxis management? These are just some of the questions that we answer in this discussion.
CONTACTS
X - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
YouTube - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch
Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com
WANT TO WORK AT MAYO?
EM Physicians: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/emergencymedicine
EM NP PAs: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/em-nppa-jobs
Nursing/Techs/PAC: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/Nursing-Emergency-Medicine
EMTs/Paramedics: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/ambulanceservice
All groups above combined into one link: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/EM-Jobs

Jul 14, 2024 • 53min
Grand Rounds - Dr. Ken Milne - Old Fashioned Doctors
Dr. Ken Milne presents his talk entitled, “Old Fashioned Doctors,” to Mayo Clinic Emergency Medicine as our keynote speaker for our annual research day. In this talk, he goes through 10 ideas that were proposed in an article by Dr. Herbert Fred as potential ways that old-fashioned doctors may practice medicine more effectively or more palatably than younger counterparts. In this talk, he challenges those ten ideas while offering insights and reflections founded from his experiences before that can help guide or shape the way people can practice tomorrow. This is all done through the use of story and humor as he does in all of his other public speaking opportunities.
CONTACTS
X - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
YouTube - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda; @KenMilne4234
Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch
TikTok - @Dr_Venk
Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com
REFERENCES & LINKS
Skeptics guide to emergency medicine: https://thesgem.com/
Ken Milne’s Youtube video of his presentation: https://youtu.be/f18FmFci-BI?si=jqJ-53HMLTI-uwLy
Herbert L Fred M.D. (1998) Old-Fashioned Doctors, Hospital Practice, 33:12, 15-15, DOI: 10.1080/21548331.1998.11443787
WANT TO WORK AT MAYO?
EM Physicians: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/emergencymedicine
EM NP PAs: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/em-nppa-jobs
Nursing/Techs/PAC: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/Nursing-Emergency-Medicine
EMTs/Paramedics: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/ambulanceservice
All groups above combined into one link: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/EM-Jobs

Jul 1, 2024 • 1h 6min
Chapter 32 - You’re invited to our block party! - Emergency department Ultrasound guided regional anesthesia
Dr. Lacey Shiue, emergency ultrasound faculty, sits down with Alex and Venk to talk through ultrasound guided nerve blocks and plane blocks. We talk through key differences in commonly used medications, how to manage toxicity from those medications as well as a detailed discussion of several different specific blocks including: Erector Spinae Plane Block, Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block, Supraclavicular Block, Interscalene Block among others. In addition, she discusses the keys to advancing an emergency regional anesthesia program.
CONTACTS
X - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
YouTube - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch
Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com
RESOURCES FOR PRACTICE:
MDCALC for anesthetic dose calculation: https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/10205/local-anesthetic-dosing-calculator
Safe Local app for anesthetic dose calculation: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safelocal/id1440999841
New York School of Regional Anesthesia: https://www.nysora.com/filter-topics/
Highland County Emergency Medicine Website: https://highlandultrasound.com/
ASRA - American Society of Regional Anesthesia - Checklist for treatment of LAST: https://www.asra.com/news-publications/asra-updates/blog-landing/guidelines/2020/11/01/checklist-for-treatment-of-local-anesthetic-systemic-toxicity
REFERENCES:
American College of Emergency Physicians Policy Statements: Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks, published April 2021. Document accessed June 20, 2024 via: https://www.acep.org/patient-care/policy-statements/ultrasound-guided-nerve-blocks
American College of Emergency Physicians Policy Statements: Guideline for ultrasound transducer cleaning and disinfection, approved April 2021. Document accessed June 20, 2024 via: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.acep.org/siteassets/new-pdfs/policy-statements/guideline-for-ultrasound-transducer-cleaning-and-disinfection.pdf
Disinfection of Ultrasound Transducers Used for Percutaneous Procedures: Intersocietal Position Statement. J Ultrasound Med. 2020; online before print. https://doi.org/10.1002/jum.15653
Ramesh S, Ayyan SM, Rath DP,Sadanandan DM. Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guidederector spinae plane block compared to sham procedure inadult patients with rib fractures presenting to the emergencydepartment: A randomized controlled trial. Acad Emerg Med.2024;31:316-325. doi:10.1111/acem.14820
New York School of Regional Anesthesia: Ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca nerve block. Accessed June 21, 2024 via: https://www.nysora.com/techniques/lower-extremity/ultrasound-guided-fascia-iliaca-block/
Downs T, Jacquet J, Disch J, Kolodychuk N, Talmage L, Krizo J, Simon EL, Meehan A, Stenberg R. Large Scale implementation of fascia iliaca compartment blocks in an emergency department. West J Emerg Med. 2023 May 3;24(3):384-389
Makkar JK, Singh NP, Bhatia N, Samra T, Singh PM. Fascia iliaca block for hip fractures in the emergency department: meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Dec:50:654-660
Rukerd MRZ, Erfaniparsa L, Movahedi M, et al. Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block versus fascia iliaca compartment block for femoral fractures in emergency department: a randomized controlled trial. Acute Med Surg. 2024 Mar 6;11(1):e936
Beaudoin FL, Haran JP, Liebmann O. A comparison of ultrasound-guided three-in one femoral nerve block versus parenteral opioids alone for analgesia in emergency department patients with hip fractures: a randomized controlled trial. Acad Emerg Med. 2013 Jun;20(6):584-91
Reavley P, Montgomery AA, Smith JE, Binks S, Edwards J, Elder G, Benger J. Randomised trial of the fascia iliaca block versus the 3-in-1 block for femoral neck fractures in the emergency department. Emerg Med J. 2015;32:685-689
Schulte SS, Fernandez I, Van Tienderen R, Reich MS, Adler A, Nguyen MP. Impact of the fascia iliaca block on pain, opioid consumption, and ambulation for patients with hip fractures: a prospective, randomized study. J Orthop Trauma. 2020 Oct;34(10):533-538
WANT TO WORK AT MAYO?
EM Physicians: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/emergencymedicine
EM NP PAs: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/em-nppa-jobs
Nursing/Techs/PAC: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/Nursing-Emergency-Medicine
EMTs/Paramedics: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/ambulanceservice
All groups above combined into one link: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/EM-Jobs

Jun 15, 2024 • 45min
Grand Rounds - Dr. Matthew Hamilton - The History of Homosexuality and Medicine
In this final chapter of the academic year 2023-2024, we celebrate our graduating EM class of residents by spotlighting a senior capstone presentation by Dr. Matthew Hamilton covering the intersection of homosexuality and medicine. In this presentation, he aims for the learner to be able to recognize pivotal movements in LGBTQ+ history and civil rights; describe structural mechanisms that excluded gay people from medicine for over 150 years; and to be able to recognize and mitigate ongoing threats to the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people. Please tune in to learn more from one the great graduating senior emergency medicine resident physicians at Mayo Clinic!
CONTACTS
X - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
YouTube - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch
Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com

Jun 1, 2024 • 1h 6min
Chapter 31 - Legal landmines and lifeboats: Understanding legal risk in emergency medicine
Alex and Venk talk through the medicolegal aspects of practicing emergency medicine with emergency physician and attorney, Dr. Rachel Lindor. She is previous chair of research for Mayo Clinic Emergency Medicine in Scottsdale Arizona and holds both MD & JD degrees. She outlines how the most commonly litigated conditions (MI, orthopedics etc) still only accounts for about 1/5 of medicolegal cases in the United States and the importance of certain key behaviors in our practice to maintaining legal safety. Check it out!
CONTACTS
X - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
YouTube - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch
Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com
REFERENCES & LINKS
Heaton HA, Campbell RL, Thompson KM, Sadosty AT. In support of the medical apology: the nonlegal arguments. Journal of Emergency Medicine 2016. 51(5)605-609
Gallagher TH, Waterman AD, Ebers AG, Fraser VJ, Levinson W. Patients’ and Physicians’ attitudes regarding the disclosure of medical errors. JAMA 2003;289:1001-7
Carlson JN, et al. Provider and Practice Factors associated with emergency physicians being named in a malpractice claim. Ann Emerg Med. 2018;71:157-164
Sachs. Malpractice claims: It’s a crapshoot-Time to stop the self-blame and ask different questions. Ann Emerg Med. 2018;71(2):165-167
Weinstock & Jolliff. High-Risk Medicolegal Conditions in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Emerg Med Clin N Am. 39(2021) 479-491
Selbst, et al. Epidemiology and etiology of malpractice lawsuits involving children in US emergency departments and urgent care centers. Pediatr. Emerg Care. 2005 Mar;21(3):165-9
Wong, et al. Emergency Department and Urgent Care Malpractice Claims 2001-2015. West JEM. 2021. 22(2): 333-8

May 14, 2024 • 54min
Grand Rounds - Dr. John Wilson - Updates in Tuberculosis "The gift that keeps on giving"
Dr. John Wilson, consultant in the division of infectious diseases at Mayo Clinic, and professor of medicine, director of Tuberculosis consultations at Mayo Clinic presents updates in Tuberculosis for Mayo Clinic Emergency Medicine Grand Rounds back in February.
CONTACTS
X - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
YouTube - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch
Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com

May 1, 2024 • 1h 10min
Chapter 30 - Two minutes to midnight: Critical overview of hemoptysis
Dr. Dagny Anderson, a specialist in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Mayo Clinic, joins Alex and Venk to talk about both life threatening hemoptysis and non-lifethreatening hemoptysis. In this chapter we review what we need to be doing in the emergency department, while also shedding light on what our teammates in other specialties can offer the patients downstream. Join for this colorful journey of how to manage the situation when no one likes what is coming out of the patient's mouth.
CONTACTS
X - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
YouTube - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch
Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com
REFERENCES
Gopinath B, et al. Nebulized vs IV Tranexamic Acid for Hemoptysis - A pilot randomized controlled trial. Chest 2023;163(5):1176-1184
Wand O, Guber E, Guber A, Epstein Schochet G, Israeli-Shani L, Shitrit D. Inhaled Tranexamic Acid for Hempotysis Treatment: A randomized controlled trial. Chest 2018;154(6):1379
Ibrahim WH. Massive Hemoptysis:The definition should be revised. Eur Respir J. 2008 Oct;32(4):1131-2

Apr 14, 2024 • 1h 13min
Grand Rounds - Dr. Michael Wilson - What your psychiatrist isn't telling you about suicide prevention in the ED
Whether or not emergency physicians believe that patients with thoughts of self-harm belong in the ED, they are coming to your ED anyway. According to the Centers for Disease Control, ED visit rates for nonfatal self-harm increased 42% among persons 10 years or older, and visits for suicidal ideation, self-directed violence, or both increased 25.5% from 2017-2018. That’s an increase of more than 1% per month pre-COVID. This solutions-oriented talk will discuss some of the science behind suicide prevention in the ED, and will present techniques that you can use to reduce risk in your ED.
CONTACTS
X - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
YouTube - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda
Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch
Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com

Apr 1, 2024 • 1h 20min
Chapter 29 - How to save a life - A primer on ECPR and ED ECMO
Dr. Suraj Yalamuri, Mayo Clinic Anesthesiology Critical Care and Cardiovascular Medicine Consultant, joins Alex and Finch to talk about the fundamentals of ECMO and ECPR. This is a great way to get caught up on this emerging science so that you'll be ready to provide the best resuscitative care for your patients when your system is ready too.