Emergency Medical Minute

Learn about the dangers of button battery ingestion in children and the effectiveness of home remedies like honey and jam in reducing esophageal tissue damage. Prompt medical intervention is still necessary despite these treatments.

Learn how to control bleeding in a penetrating wound - use direct pressure, compression dressings, and tourniquets. Look for signs of life-threatening bleeding like pulsatile bleeding or soaked clothes. Apply a tourniquet properly, mark the time, and have a plan. Remember not to leave a tourniquet on for more than 90 minutes to avoid nerve injury and ischemia.

Contributors: Kali Olson PharmD, Travis Barlock MD, Jeffrey Olson MS2 Summary: In this episode of Pharmacy Phriday, Dr. Kali Olson joins Dr. Travis Barlock and Jeffrey Olson in studio to discuss a variety of interesting topics in the form of a segment show. Dr. Kali Olson earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Colorado, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and completed a PGY1 residency at Detroit Receiving Hospital and a PGY2 residency in Emergency Medicine at Denver Health. She now works as an Emergency Medicine Pharmacist at Denver Health. In segment one of the show, Kali and Travis answer the Get-To-Know-You questionnaire. In segment two, they work together to answer a series of pharmacy-based riddles. In segment three they play a "Balderdash" like game in which they guess the definitions of medical jargon. In segment four they play the Number Needed to Treat game, invented by the AFP podcast. And in segment five they work together to answer a question about a far-out scenario involving medications and time travel! References · American Family Physician Podcast, https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/multimedia/podcast.html · Gragnolati, A. (2022, May 5). The Yuzpe method of emergency contraception. GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/emergency-contraceptive/yuzpe-method · Manikandan S, Vani NI. Holiday reading: Learning medicine through riddles. CMAJ. 2010 Dec 14;182(18):E863-4. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.100466. PMID: 21149530; PMCID: PMC3001539. · Riddle Me This: Mixing Medicine, https://peimpact.com/riddle-me-this-mixing-medicine/ · https://thennt.com/nnt/corticosteroids-treatment-kawasaki-disease-children/ · https://thennt.com/nnt/aspirin-acute-ischemic-stroke/ · https://thennt.com/nnt/tranexamic-acid-treatment-epistaxis/ · https://thennt.com/nnt/antibiotics-culture%e2%80%90positive-asymptomatic-bacteriuria-pregnant-women/ Produced, Hosted, Edited, and Summarized by Jeffrey Olson MS2 | Additional editing by Jorge Chalit, OMSII

Contributor: Taylor Lynch MD Educational Pearls Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature less than 35 degrees Celsius or less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit Mild Hypothermia: 32-35 degrees Celsius Presentation: alert, shivering, tachycardic, and cold diuresis Management: Passive rewarming i.e. remove wet clothing and cover the patient with blankets or other insulation Moderate Hypothermia: 28-32 degrees Celsius Presentation: Drowsiness, lack of shivering, bradycardia, hypotension Management: Active external rewarming Severe Hypothermia: 24-28 degrees Celsius Presentation: Heart block, cardiogenic shock, no shivering Management: Active external and internal rewarming Less than 24 degrees Celsius Presentation: Pulseless, ventricular arrhythmia Active External Rewarming Warm fluids are insufficient for warming due to a minimal temperature difference (warmed fluids are maintained at 40 degrees vs. a patient at 30 degrees is not a large enough thermodynamic difference) External: Bear hugger, warm blankets Active Internal Rewarming Thoracic lavage (preferably on the patient's right side) Place 2 chest tubes (anteriorly and posteriorly); infuse warm IVF anteriorly and hook up the posterior tube to a Pleur-evac Warms the patient 3-6 Celsius per hour Bladder lavage Continuous bladder irrigation with 3-way foley or 300 cc warm fluid Less effective than thoracic lavage due to less surface area Pulseless patients ACLS does not work until patients are rewarmed to 30 degrees High-quality CPR until 30 degrees (longest CPR in a hypothermic patient was 6 hours and 30 minutes) Give epinephrine once you reach 35 degrees, spaced out every 6 minutes ECMO is the best way to warm these patients up (10 degrees per hour) Pronouncing death must occur at 32 degrees or must have potassium > 12 References 1. 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care - Part 1: Introduction. Circulation. 2005;112(24 SUPPL.). doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.166550 2. Brown DJA, Burgger H, Boyd J, Paal P. Accidental Hypothermia. N Engl J Med. 2012;367:1930-1938. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.5543.51-c 3. Dow J, Giesbrecht GG, Danzl DF, et al. Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Out-of-Hospital Evaluation and Treatment of Accidental Hypothermia: 2019 Update. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019;30(4S):S47-S69. doi:10.1016/j.wem.2019.10.002 4. Kjærgaard B, Bach P. Warming of patients with accidental hypothermia using warm water pleural lavage. Resuscitation. 2006;68(2):203-207. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2005.06.019 5. Lott C, Truhlář A, Alfonzo A, et al. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Cardiac arrest in special circumstances. Resuscitation. 2021;161:152-219. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.02.011 6. Plaisier BR. Thoracic lavage in accidental hypothermia with cardiac arrest - Report of a case and review of the literature. Resuscitation. 2005;66(1):99-104. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2004.12.024 Summarized by Jorge Chalit, OMSII | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit, OMSII

Contributor: Jared Scott MD Educational Pearls: Croup is a respiratory condition typically caused by a viral infection (e.g., parainfluenza). The disease is characterized by inflammation of the larynx and trachea, which often leads to a distinctive barking cough. A common treatment for croup is the powerful steroid dexamethasone, but it can take up to 30 minutes to start working. A folk remedy for croup is to take the afflicted child outside in the cold to help them breathe better, but does it really work? A 2023 study in Switzerland, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, investigated whether a 30-minute exposure to outdoor cold air could improve mild to moderate croup symptoms before the onset of steroid effects. The randomized controlled trial included children aged 3 months to 10 years with croup. After receiving a single-dose oral dexamethasone, participants were exposed to either outdoor cold air or indoor room air. The primary outcome was a decrease in the Westley Croup Score (WCS) by at least 2 points at 30 minutes. The results indicated that exposure to outdoor cold air, in addition to dexamethasone, significantly reduced symptoms in children with croup, especially in those with moderate cases. References Siebert JN, Salomon C, Taddeo I, Gervaix A, Combescure C, Lacroix L. Outdoor Cold Air Versus Room Temperature Exposure for Croup Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatrics. 2023 Sep 1;152(3):e2023061365. doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-061365. PMID: 37525974. Summarized by Jeffrey Olson, MS2 | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit, OMSII

Contributor: Aaron Lessen MD Educational Pearls: Does the size of a blood pressure (BP) cuff matter? A recent randomized crossover trial revealed that, indeed, cuff size can affect blood pressure readings Design 195 adults with varying mid-upper arm circumferences were randomized to the order of BP cuff application: Appropriate Too small Too large Individuals had their mid-upper arm circumference measured to determine the appropriate cuff size Participants underwent 4 sets of triplicate blood pressure measurements, the last of which was always with the appropriately sized cuff Results In individuals requiring a small cuff, the use of a regular cuff resulted in blood pressure readings 3.6 mm Hg lower than with the small cuff In individuals requiring large cuffs, the use of a regular cuff resulted in pressures 4.8 mm Hg higher than with the large cuffs In individuals requiring extra-large cuffs, the use of a regular cuff resulted in pressures 19.5 mm Hg higher than with extra-large cuffs Conclusion Miscuffing results in significantly inaccurate blood pressure measurements It is important to emphasize individualized BP cuff selection References 1. Ishigami J, Charleston J, Miller ER, Matsushita K, Appel LJ, Brady TM. Effects of Cuff Size on the Accuracy of Blood Pressure Readings: The Cuff(SZ) Randomized Crossover Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2023;183(10):1061-1068. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3264 Summarized by Jorge Chalit, OMSII | Edited by Jorge Chalit

Discussion on a study exploring the management of patients with low GCS scores in cases of possible overdose or poisoning, suggesting a potentially more effective approach to the use of intubation.

Contributor: Aaron Lessen MD Educational Pearls: A 2013 study randomized families of those in cardiac arrest into two groups: Actively offered patients' families the opportunity to observe CPR Follow standard practice regarding family presence (control group) Of the 266 relatives that received offers to observe CPR, 211 (79%) accepted vs. 43% in the control group observed CPR The study assessed a primary end-point of PTSD-related symptoms 90 days after the event Secondary end-points included depression, anxiety, medicolegal claims, medical efforts at resuscitation, and the well-being of the healthcare team The frequency of PTSD-related symptoms was significantly higher in the control group Lower rates of anxiety and depression for the families who witnessed CPR There were no effects on resuscitation efforts, patient survival, medicolegal claims, or stress on the healthcare team If families choose to witness CPR, it's beneficial to have someone with the family to explain the process References 1. Jabre P, Belpomme V, Azoulay E, et al. Family Presence during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(11):1008-1018. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1203366 Summarized by Jorge Chalit, OMSII | Edited by Jorge Chalit

Contributor: Ricky Dhaliwal, MD Educational Pearls: Croup Caused by: Parainfluenza, Adenovirus, RSV, Enterovirus (big right now) Age range: 6 months to 3 years Symptoms: Barky cough Inspiratory stridor (Severe = stidor at rest) Use the Westley Croup Score to gauge the severity Treatment: High flow, humidified, cool oxygen Dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg oral, max 16mg Severe: Racemic Epinephrine 0.5 mL/kg Consider heliox, a mixture of helium and oxygen Very severe: be ready to intubate Bronchiolitis Caused by: RSV, Rhinovirus Symptoms are driven by secretions Symptoms: Cough Wheezing Dehydration (often the symptom that makes them look the worst) Age range: 2 to 6 months Treatment: Suctioning Oxygen IV fluids Nebulized hypertonic saline DuoNebs? No. Asthma Caused by: Environmental factors Viral illness with a predisposition Treatment: Beta agonists Steroids Ipratropium Magnesium (relaxes smooth muscle) References Dalziel SR, Haskell L, O'Brien S, Borland ML, Plint AC, Babl FE, Oakley E. Bronchiolitis. Lancet. 2022 Jul 30;400(10349):392-406. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01016-9. Epub 2022 Jul 1. PMID: 35785792. Hoch HE, Houin PR, Stillwell PC. Asthma in Children: A Brief Review for Primary Care Providers. Pediatr Ann. 2019 Mar 1;48(3):e103-e109. doi: 10.3928/19382359-20190219-01. PMID: 30874817. Midulla F, Petrarca L, Frassanito A, Di Mattia G, Zicari AM, Nenna R. Bronchiolitis clinics and medical treatment. Minerva Pediatr. 2018 Dec;70(6):600-611. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4946.18.05334-3. Epub 2018 Oct 18. PMID: 30334624. Smith DK, McDermott AJ, Sullivan JF. Croup: Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2018 May 1;97(9):575-580. PMID: 29763253. Westley CR, Cotton EK, Brooks JG. Nebulized racemic epinephrine by IPPB for the treatment of croup: a double-blind study. Am J Dis Child. 1978 May;132(5):484-7. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.1978.02120300044008. PMID: 347921. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/677/westley-croup-score Summarized by Jeffrey Olson | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit, OMSII

Discussion on the three zones of the neck and their structures. Exploring hard signs that require immediate intervention and soft signs that may need imaging for further management.