Abstract Excellent communication is a foundation of shared decision making. As discussed throughout this book, shared decision-making is a collaborative process of (1) exchanging medical and personal information about patients’…
Abstract Mr. Smith is a 68-year-old man with chronic obstructive lung disease on supplemental oxygen who presented to the emergency department with influenza A and a Staphylococcus aureus superinfection. The…
Abstract Mr. Jones is a 65-year-old man with a past medical history of coronary artery disease who is admitted after an unwitnessed pulseless electrical activity arrest at home. He achieved…
Abstract The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) supports a patient’s respiratory or cardiovascular systems via an oxygenator and pump to enhance native function. Venoarterial support takes blood from a…
Abstract A 72-year-old man is brought to the emergency department from his skilled nursing facility for shortness of breath and altered mental status. He is admitted to the medical intensive…
Abstract As advancements in medical therapy improve survival, we are confronted with more patients who either cannot communicate or lack decisional capacity, leaving a more common dependency on collaborations with…
Overlooking the Basics and Focusing on Medications That Do Not Matter During Pediatric Codes Michael S. Mitchell, MD Crick Watkins, DO The crashing pediatric patient can induce anxiety for providers…
Abstract Traditionally, a tube thoracostomy is placed using the open technique; however, percutaneous techniques, and those using serial dilation, are also acceptable. Care should be taken with trocar techniques due…
Abstract When attempts at orotracheal intubation or airway rescue techniques (e.g., laryngeal mask airway) have failed in a patient who cannot oxygenate or ventilate, cricothyroidotomy is the emergency surgical airway…
Abstract Ultrasound offers a quick, repeatable, and moderately sensitive assessment for an important subset of traumatic injuries. The Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) exam is performed at the…
