Objectives: In the realm of acute pain management within emergency departments (EDs), the prevalent reliance on systemic analgesics, notably opioids, presents challenges due to associated risks and suboptimal efficacy. The emerging alternative of ultrasound-guided nerve blocks (USGNBs) has shown promise in prospective studies. However, the safety and efficacy of USGNBs when performed by emergency medicine practitioners remain largely unexplored, necessitating this study to address the research gap.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis case report details the diagnostic challenges and management of a middle-aged man who presented with complaints of fever and breathlessness. He was initially suspected of lower respiratory tract infection and diabetic ketoacidosis on clinical examination and treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and insulin infusion. The point of care ultrasound (POCUS), as part of the primary survey, showed right atrium (RA)-right ventricle (RV) dilation and a D-shaped left ventricle, which was highly suspicious of pulmonary embolism and was later confirmed with computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKnee injuries are quite prevalent in the Emergency Department (ED) and often present with severe pain, necessitating effective pain management strategies. Traditional pain management approaches, including opioid medications, may carry undesirable side effects and potential risks, leading to the growing interest in non-opioid alternatives. Nerve blocks have emerged as promising options for targeted pain relief in the ED.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The cornerstone of management of acidosis in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has traditionally been carried out by blood gas analysis, which is expensive and associated with significant risk. It is against this background that the correlation between end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO), blood pH, and EtCO bicarbonate levels was analyzed. The predictive value of EtCO was also analyzed in the diagnosis of DKA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Considering the resurgence of COVID19 and the rapid spread of new and deadlier strains across the globe understanding the incidence and pattern of violence and self harm tendencies during this period might help in formulating better contingency plans for future lockdowns. A deeper look at the available data shows that there is a significant dearth of research into self-harm & violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objective: To identify the incidence and sociodemographic characteristics of self-harm and violence during the COVID19 lockdown and compare with a control group from the previous year.