In Case of Emergency, Use POCUS
Time is of the essence in the emergency department, where a prompt diagnosis can literally mean the difference between life and death.
The "One-Stick" Standard for Vascular Access
HealthManagement.org
Nidhi Nikhanj, MD
Obtaining vascular access is one of the most common procedures performed in U.S. hospitals, with more than 5 million central venous catheterizations (CVCs) performed annually (Feller-Klopman 2007). Nearly 80% of critical care patients undergo CVC (Gibbs; Murphy 2006) for administration of fluids, blood products, or vasoactive drugs; hemodynamic monitoring; hemodialysis or transvenous pacing during an inpatient stay (Sisson; Nagdev 2007). To learn how to reduce complications, such as central line associated blood stream infections, with placing a CVC and achieve the one-stick standard, please read the article by Dr. Nidhi Nikhanj from the March 2019 Issue of HealthManagement.org.
The Future of Pediatric Imaging
Diku Mandavia, MD, FACEP, FRCPC, Chief Medical Officer at FUJIFILM Sonosite
HealthCare Business News
While providers continue to adhere to safe, low-dose imaging protocols, we are also seeing a trend toward finding new care pathways that use ionizing-free modalities. For example, more clinicians are opting to use point-of-care ultrasound over CT to diagnose appendicitis in children because it’s safer and has a very high accuracy rate. Many pediatric emergency physicians are an ultrasound-first philosophy because it delivers a speedier diagnosis. It’s less costly, safer, painless, and because children typically have low body fat, it’s easy acquire very clear images with ultrasound. Read this article in the March 2019 edition of Dotmed.com by Dr. Diku Mandavia, Chief Medical Officer, FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc. to learn more about the future of pediatric imaging.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound on Mt. Everest
Dr. Luanne Freer is, to put it mildly, comfortable with being uncomfortable.
10 Important Applications of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Becker's Hospital Review
Jennifer R. Marin, MD, MSc
With the end of summer and children heading back to school and organized athletics, there will inevitably be injuries that may require a trip to the local hospital emergency room and clinicians need to be prepared. This article by Dr. Jennifer Marin discusses ten important applications for ultrasound used at the point-of-care to diagnose medical issues in pediatrics. Dr. Marin also discusses the fact that the American Academy of Pediatrics recently published its first policy statement endorsing the use of ultrasound at the point-of-care by pediatric emergency medicine. Ultrasound is an ideal diagnostic procedure for children whose smaller body size facilitates sound-wave penetration and resolution to generate images. Please read Dr. Marin’s article to learn more.
Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Block, an ED Opioid Alternative
Anesthesiology News
Alexis LaPietra, DO
With the opioid epidemic ever present in US hospitals, emergency physicians working with anesthesiologists to manage pain in the ED setting are on the front lines of this urgent public health crisis. Alexis LaPietra, DO, a medical director for pain management in the emergency department of St. Joseph’s Healthcare System, shares some key takeaways and lessons learned when developing and implementing a formal program focused on novel alternatives to opioid prescriptions for pain. The ALTOSM (Alternatives To Opioids) program uses alternatives such as nitrous oxide, trigger point injections, Lidoderm patches, anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants and ultrasound-guided nerve blocks, whenever possible, for appropriate patients to manage their pain in the emergency department. Read Dr. LaPietra’s article to learn more about how a program such as ALTOSM can be successful in your hospital.
Achieving One-Stick Vascular Access, Value-Based Care for Patients
Axis Imaging News
Diku Mandavia, MD, FACEP, FRCPC, Chief Medical Officer at FUJIFILM Sonosite
Vascular access is one of the most commonly performed procedures in U.S. hospitals as up to 70% of patients require a peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter during their stay. Each year, 200 million PIV catheterizations are performed. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recommended in a 2016 policy statement that procedural ultrasound be utilized to facilitate access. In this article, Dr. Mandavia discusses patient safety improvements that are achieved in vascular access with "the one-stick standard."
A Letter from Dr. Samuel Abelson
The following is a letter from Dr. Samuel Abelson, an emergency medicine physician who lives in Minneapolis.
Four years ago, Project Medishare began teaching point-of-care ultrasound to the staff at Hospital Bernard Mevs in Port Au Prince. Through the Sonosite Global Health program, we have borrowed multiple loaner machines to use in teaching.
Hospital Continues Efforts to Reduce Opioid Over-Prescription
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey has been among the forefront of medical providers who are attempting to stem the U.S. opioid addiction epidemic where it often starts: the Emergency Department.
Raising the Bar in Pediatric Medicine
HealthCare Business News
Anthony Moretti MD, MBA and Diku Mandavia MD, FACEP, FRCPC
Physicians face unique challenges when treating the pediatric patient population. In this article, Dr. Anthony Moretti, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Adventist Health White Memorial, and Dr. Diku Mandavia, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at FUJIFILM Medical USA and FUJIFILM Sonosite Inc, discuss the technology that helps to provide solutions for these challenges.