Ep 144 - July 2019 Round Up

  St Emlyn’s July 2019: Key Highlights Welcome back to St Emlyn’s, where we continue to share the latest insights, discussions, and advancements in emergency medicine. July 2019 was particularly rich in content, covering a wide range of topics from practical clinical advice to deeper reflections on the ethics and philosophy of emergency medicine. Here, we summarize the key points from the month’s posts, optimized for clarity and relevance. Upcoming Events: Resuscitology Course and MSc in Emergency Medicine Before diving into the content highlights, there are two important announcements: Resuscitology Course – December 2019 On December 14th, 2019, the Resuscitology course will be held in Manchester. This course, led by Cliff Reid, offers an in-depth exploration of why certain resuscitation techniques work and how they can be improved in high-stakes scenarios. This is a must-attend for anyone involved in emergency or critical care. Registration details are available on our blog. MSc in Emergency Medicine – 2019-2020 Cohort Recruitment is now open for the 2019-2020 cohort of the MSc in Emergency Medicine. This three-year online program, available to both doctors and nurses, offers an advanced curriculum in emergency medicine. Alumni like Janus Bae, Alan Grace, and Natalie May have found it immensely beneficial. By 2020, we hope to extend the program to paramedics as well, broadening its reach and impact. July 2019 Blog Highlights This month’s content ranged from clinical insights and research updates to philosophical discussions about the practice of emergency medicine. Disaster Medicine in Pakistan: Lessons Learned Zaf Kasim, now practicing in the United States, and Rashid Akhil from Pakistan collaborated on a blog post discussing the management of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and major incidents in Pakistan. Zaf, who trained with us in Verchester, has become an authority in endovascular resuscitation, REBOA, and ECMO. This post sheds light on the expertise developed by medical professionals in Pakistan, particularly in response to large-scale disasters like the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. It’s a crucial read for anyone interested in global health or disaster medicine, as it demonstrates how effective disaster response systems can be developed even in resource-limited settings. Managing Major GI Hemorrhage: Practical Insights Chris Gray revisited a talk he gave at the St Emlyn’s Live Conference, focusing on the challenges of managing major gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. Patients presenting with significant upper or lower GI bleeds pose unique challenges, particularly regarding airway management. Chris offers practical advice, emphasizing the importance of resuscitating before intubation and considering video laryngoscopy in difficult cases. The post also highlights the SALAD (Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination) technique, which is particularly useful in managing patients with large amounts of gastric contents. Additionally, Chris touches on the use of PPIs, tranexamic acid (TXA), and terlipressin, although he advises caution until more evidence is available. The ongoing HALT-IT trial in the UK, investigating TXA in GI bleeds, is something to watch closely. Listeriosis: A Rare but Serious Infection Listeriosis, though uncommon, can have severe consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and the immunocompromised. This blog post was prompted by a recent outbreak in the UK linked to contaminated hospital food. The post emphasizes the importance of considering listeriosis in differential diagnoses, particularly for patients presenting with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms. Blood cultures are essential for diagnosis, making it important to include them in the workup for high-risk patients. Early diagnosis is key to improving outcomes in these cases. The Procedure Paradox: Ethical Reflections in Emergency Medicine “The G