Emergency Medicine

From task-oriented to goal-driven: the power of habits in “magnet” hospitals

Physician
December 16, 2023

The banner in front of the ED where I work proclaims “magnet hospital.” “Magnet” status tells patients and visitors that the care from nurses (and ED technicians and patient care associates staff under their auspices) is so good that the ED should be a magnet, attracting patients and nurses to come here and inspiring other EDs emulation.

For many years, our ED’s annual census has been 100,000 patients. One might think …

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A cardiologist’s COVID-19 frontline journey [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 13, 2023
YouTube video

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We sit down with Marissa Lombardo, a cardiologist, to delve into her deeply moving experiences on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Join us as Marissa shares her journey, from delivering heart-wrenching news …

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Breaking free from metric shaming [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 7, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Archana Reddy Shrestha, an emergency physician. In this episode, we explore her personal journey through the highs and lows of her medical career, addressing the challenges of metric-driven evaluations and the impact on a physician’s sense …

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The dark role of science, medicine, and tasers

Physician
December 7, 2023

The sciences and even medicine have long been used to justify atrocities. In the early 1800s, the United States of America was a slave nation. Citizens were allowed to purchase and imprison other races and hold them in bondage as property. This is different from indentured servitude, where someone is held in bondage until they pay off a debt. The indentured servant still has some rights and autonomy; the slave …

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Advocating for health and humanity: a physician’s call to action amidst conflict

Physician
November 19, 2023

The unfolding events in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank present a complex and deeply concerning situation. The entire area is smaller than the state of Vermont. My experiences in the West Bank, supported by a U.S. Scholar Fulbright award, have given me firsthand insight into the disruptions faced by individuals in these regions. The war may be focused in Gaza, but routine life is also disrupted in the West …

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Navigating the new minefield of ER medical practice

Physician
November 16, 2023

The practice of medicine has always been difficult. In the best of times, physicians must make fast decisions under very stressful conditions. Every time a doctor navigates a crisis, they reflect on what decisions they made and how they might improve. At least the good ones do. This soul-searching often involves discussions with colleagues and staff on the events and decisions made.

Mortality and morbidity discussions, M&M as we say, are …

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Physicians can write their way to increased empathy

Physician
November 8, 2023

“When and how much?” I tried to recall the list of questions for intoxicated patients. A middle-aged man, much older than the demographics printed on the documents I hold, was writhing in pain, vomiting, and sobbing. The paper stated: chief complaint – mouse poison pellet ingestion, attempting suicide. “How and why?” I kept asking. I was his first encounter upon entering the emergency room, a terrified fifth-year medical student at …

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Encountering a gentle soul amidst stomach cancer

Conditions
November 6, 2023

It was the final hour of my shift, and I was cleaning up for my colleague who would be taking over. Glancing at the clock, I decided I could see one of the “easy” fast-track patients just to help offload the board a bit. I figured he wasn’t going to take long, as his complaint on the board was “sore throat.” What I came to find out was that he …

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We all make mistakes. Don’t let them define you.

Physician
November 3, 2023

We are human and we all make mistakes. It’s an inherent part of our nature. It’s easy to get caught up in the belief that our mistakes define us or determine our worth; however, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

As physicians, mistakes often serve as the uninvited guests in our otherwise meticulously planned professional lives. Yet, it is crucial to recognize that these errors are not stamps of incompetence …

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Gaza’s medical crisis

Physician
November 1, 2023

On October 11th, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on the lifeless body of paramedic Hatem Awad as he was rushed through an ambulance bay in Gaza. Awad and his colleagues from the Palestinian Red Crescent had just been given the green light to head into eastern Gaza to assist victims of airstrikes, not knowing they would become victims themselves.

On October 17th, surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah stood in the ruins of …

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An emergency physician’s insights on health partnerships [PODCAST]

Podcast
October 30, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Drew Remignanti, an emergency physician, as he delves into the fascinating world of medicine and discusses his book, The Healing Connection: A Partnership for Your Health. Get ready to explore the insights and experiences of a …

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We got the new COVID vaccine. It was a whopping $191 per shot.

Conditions
October 28, 2023

As emergency physicians, my husband and I were determined to protect ourselves, our teenagers, and society at-large with the latest, monovalent COVID vaccine, which the CDC recently recommended for every American 6 months and older.

I realized, though, we were in for turbulence when my 78-year-old mother arrived for her appointment at a national pharmacy chain only to be told they did not yet have the vaccine. …

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Tomb of the unknown emergency physician

Physician
October 26, 2023

An overly familiar alarm buzzes at 4:20 a.m. My first thought was, “I should have slept more.” I lazily brush my teeth with the combination of spearmint and reflux mixing in the back of my throat. With heavy arms and legs, I wearily climb into scrubs in the dark and carefully exit the house – a thief in my own night. The pitch-black drive is less interesting this morning. News …

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Metric shaming in medicine and 3 ways to overcome it

Physician
October 25, 2023

Looking back at my career as an emergency physician, I remember how my first year out of residency was a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs, practicing as an emergency physician in a semi-rural town in Illinois. But once I found my stride and confidence as an attending physician, I recall distinctly knowing to my core that I was a good doctor. I was strong in my clinical …

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Inner practices for navigating health care burnout [PODCAST]

Podcast
October 17, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Wendy Lau, an emergency medicine physician, as we delve into the world of health care burnout and the moral challenges faced by medical professionals. Discover valuable insights, practical strategies, and the importance of inner practices to …

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Navigating the demands of emergency medicine [PODCAST]

Podcast
October 13, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Rida Jawed, an emergency medicine resident in Pakistan. Rida shares her invaluable insights and experiences from her journey in the emergency department. We delve into essential rules for thriving in this demanding field, from self-care to …

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Why aren’t more pediatricians leaning into rural health?

Policy
October 12, 2023

Rural health for children is in trouble. Don’t take my word for it, just ask the CDC.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just offered further evidence that American children — and rural children in particular — are in trouble. Previously, the CDC had noted that poor U.S. children 2 to 8 years of age have higher rates of parent-reported mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders (MBDDs) than their …

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Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

Physician
September 29, 2023

The mediation was scheduled for noon. When the attorney in charge of the mediation was an hour late, his assistant began earnestly to find him. This was not typical behavior at all. A phone call to the condominium where the attorney lived sent security guards to his residence and then to the parking garage, where they found him slumped behind the wheel, seat belt securely fastened, and his keys in …

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CME Spotlights