J Emerg Med
-
Bacteremia is a major cause of morbidity. Blood cultures are the gold standard for diagnosing bacteremia. ⋯ In this cohort, mShapiro's rule performed better than the SIRS criteria at predicting bacteremia.
-
Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction is a common but underrecognized source of low back pain (LBP). With provocative testing, emergency physicians can diagnose SIJ dysfunction and begin appropriate treatment in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ For patients who are good candidates for SIJ injection, emergency physicians can begin treatment in the ED, before the patient follows up with a specialist.
-
Opioid overdose is a major cause of mortality in the United States. In spite of efforts to increase naloxone availability, distribution to high-risk populations remains a challenge. ⋯ Take-home naloxone increases access when compared with naloxone prescriptions in the ED setting. A multidisciplinary approach combined with the removal of regulatory and administrative barriers allowed for further increased distribution of no-cost naloxone to patients.
-
Tracheal intubation is the gold standard for airway management in emergency medicine, but more difficult to apply for inexperienced individuals than laryngeal mask airway (LMA). ⋯ Medical students without previous airway experience can successfully insert LMAs after a short introduction. Thiel-fixed specimens are suitable for studies as well as for training in LMA application.
-
Literature on systemic envenomation caused by tarantula bites, particularly from the Theraphosidae family, is relatively scarce. This case report provides a formal description of the first known instance of systemic envenomation caused by the Socotra Island Blue Baboon Tarantula (Monocentropus balfouri). ⋯ In this case, a 23-year-old employee of an exotic pet shop suffered from perioral paresthesia, generalized muscle cramps, and rhabdomyolysis because of a Monocentropus balfouri bite. His symptoms were successfully relieved with oral benzodiazepines. EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This case highlights the potential for serious complications resulting from the bite of Monocentropus balfouri, a species gaining popularity among global exotic pet collectors.