Ep 149 - September 2019 Round Up

A Month in Review: Key Takeaways from St Emlyn's September 2019 Content Welcome to a detailed overview of the latest content from St Emlyn's, focusing on the valuable insights and educational resources we shared throughout September 2019. This month’s offerings span a wide range of topics, from the evolving concept of the "resuscitationist" to the increasing challenges posed by decompensated liver disease, and the ongoing development of emergency medicine education. Here’s a look at the most important takeaways. The Resuscitationist: More Than Just a Title The term "resuscitationist" has become a buzzword within the emergency medicine (EM) and critical care communities, especially following its emergence from the SMACC (Social Media and Critical Care) conferences. Dan Horner delved into this concept in a recent presentation, sparking a broader discussion about what it truly means to identify as a resuscitationist. At its core, being a resuscitationist isn’t just about having an interest in the resuscitation room. It requires a blend of sharp clinical skills, deep knowledge of resuscitation science, and the ability to apply evidence-based practices effectively. But beyond technical expertise, leadership and teamwork are crucial. A resuscitationist must excel in managing high-stakes, chaotic situations where decisions are made with limited information and under intense time pressure. Moreover, Dan highlights the importance of humility and collaboration. The best resuscitationists are those who recognize their own limitations and are skilled at drawing on the strengths of others, whether from different specialties or professions. This collaborative approach not only enhances patient care but also builds stronger, more effective resuscitation teams. Decompensated Liver Disease: A Growing Concern in the ED Liver disease is on the rise, particularly due to lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption and obesity. Gareth Roberts tackled this pressing issue in his blog post on decompensated liver disease, which is becoming increasingly common in emergency departments (EDs) across the UK and beyond. Gareth outlines a comprehensive care bundle designed to manage patients with decompensated liver disease effectively. This bundle includes seven key points: Thorough Investigation: Quick and accurate investigations are essential, particularly for detecting complications like spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), which can be life-threatening. Infection Management: Aggressive treatment of infections is critical, with a focus on using appropriate antibiotics and monitoring for SBP. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Hyponatremia: These complications are common in liver disease patients and must be managed carefully. Gareth discusses the potential benefits of human albumin in these cases. GI Bleeding: Gastrointestinal bleeding, especially from varices, poses a significant risk. Gareth directs readers to additional resources on St Emlyn’s, including a presentation by Chris Gray on managing GI bleeding. Hepatic Encephalopathy: This condition can severely alter a patient’s mental status and requires careful management. With the increasing prevalence of liver disease, understanding and managing hepatic encephalopathy is more important than ever. Gareth’s post is a must-read for anyone dealing with liver disease in the ED, providing both practical advice and links to further resources. Expanding Education: The MSc in Emergency Medicine Education is a cornerstone of St Emlyn’s, and we’re excited to announce the expansion of the MSc in Emergency Medicine at Manchester Metropolitan University. This program has been running successfully for several years and is now broadening its scope to include paramedics, making it a truly multi-professional and multi-disciplinary course. The MSc program offers a variety of modules tailored to the specific needs of different healthcare professionals. Whether you’re looking to deepen your clinical k