PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast

Dive into the world of respiratory viral panels with Dr. Olivia Ostrow and Dr. Kelly Levasseur as they discuss the importance, cost, and overuse of these tests. Learn about Choosing Wisely recommendations and strategies to reduce unnecessary testing in pediatric respiratory illnesses. Discover effective communication with families about viral testing and the impact on antibiotic prescribing and hospitalization rates.

Where else is the poop going to be? Constipation is by and large a clinical diagnosis. This episode reviews how to make the diagnosis, red flags, and why X-Rays don’t necessarily help assess stool burden adequately in most children. This podcast episode is designed to disseminate the important work of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the […]

Labs or CT scans are not necessary to provide additional diagnostic information or reassurance for most children who recover completely following simple febrile seizures or unprovoked first time generalized seizures. The rate of abnormalities on these studies is very low, and the cost and downsides are too high to justify ordering them on a regular […]

For most children requiring admission to an inpatient psychiatric facility laboratory studies are generally not required. Many of the children and adolescents being admitted already have an established mental or behavioral diagnosis, and a reassuring history and exam. The heterogeneity of clinical settings makes it challenging to establish processes that account for the needs of […]

This podcast explores the importance of minimizing chest X-Rays in children with respiratory issues like bronchiolitis and asthma. Experts discuss the risks and drawbacks of overusing chest X-Rays, highlighting the Choosing Wisely Campaign's guidelines. The episode emphasizes the significance of clinical assessment over routine imaging, and considers individualized approaches for reducing unnecessary tests.

Explore the intriguing world of Henoch–Schönlein Purpura, a common vasculitis affecting children. Discover the classic symptoms, including palpable purpura and abdominal pain. Learn about the challenges in diagnosis and the importance of supportive treatments. Delve into the nuances of managing this condition, including potential complications like nephritis. This concise discussion sheds light on vital monitoring practices for young patients.

It is summertime, so the bees and bugs are out! In this episode, Dr. Ben Grebber, a pediatric resident at Boston Children’s Hospital/Tufts Children’s Hospital, discusses Bee Stings and Spider Bites. A very common pediatric summer complaint in emergency departments, urgent cares, and primary care offices, this episode covers common signs and symptoms, some pathophysiology, […]

We are in the midst of a staggering mental health crisis. Thousands of children and adolescents spend days at time in Emergency Departments waiting for definitive mental health disposition. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis Ren (@DennisRenMD) is all about what we should consider when boarding children in the […]

There are protocols in place that assist highly trained Emergency Medical Service providers in assuring that agitated children are safely transported to their destination. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis Ren (@DennisRenMD) is all about what pre-hospital providers should do to get these agitated children safely to the ED. […]

When we think of managing agitated patients we think of medicines – but that shouldn’t be our first option. However, medications can be adjuncts to non-pharmacologic means to help keep agitated children safe from harm. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis Ren (@DennisRenMD) is all about age-appropriate pharmacologic management […]