I had the chance to talk with Sean P. Kane, PharmD, BCPS about angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-induced angioedema. And it was recorded!As part of the SCCM VCCR podcast, this episode we spoke about a variety of treatment approaches for ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema are discussed, including fresh frozen plasma, ecallantide, icatibant, and conventional therapies for undifferentiated angioedema. Here is the link, and some show notes to go along with it.Compared to a type 1 IGE mediated [...]

Obstetric emergencies can be challenging to many pharmacists given the critical nature of these diseases and the need for immediate recall of medication information ranging from teratogenicity to second/third line agents in light of drug shortages.(1-4) Ectopic pregnancy is one of those scenarios where advanced knowledge and comprehension of the medical management is essential for pharmacists working in emergency departments. This, in large part, is as a result of the frequent use of methotrexate for [...]

After 6 years of experience since completion of my residency training, I have felt a tremendous amount of growth. As I have said earlier, the more experience I gain, the more I respect those who have it, and realize how little I truly have. There is no hidden meaning or cryptic message. Rather than resisting advice or guidance, I now listen to someone who's been through it all and come out wiser. It's such an [...]

After 6 years of experience since completion of my residency training, I have felt a tremendous amount of growth. As I have said earlier, the more experience I gain, the more I respect those who have it, and realize how little I truly have. There is no hidden meaning or cryptic message. Rather than resisting advice or guidance, I now listen to someone who's been through it all and come out wiser. It's such an [...]

A 63-year-old male arrives to the resuscitation bay in cardiac arrest with ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Per EMS, the patient was found in ventricular fibrillation (Vfib) and has received defibrillation 6 times with four rounds of epinephrine and 2 doses of amiodarone (300 mg, 150 mg) prior to arrival. In the emergency department (ED), the patient is noted to still be in Vfib and a dose of 1 mg/kg of lidocaine is administered without termination [...]

Clinicians in emergency departments across the country have increasingly become more savvy in their approach to the management of common pain conditions that patients may present with in this setting. In the effort to overcome the effects and consequences of the opioid abuse epidemic, great emphasis is now being placed in leveraging opioid-free alternatives in new ways for the management of these frequently encountered common pain conditions. This may involve utilizing target-specific agents in the [...]

Standard technique for transferring a medication from a glass ampule involves swabbing the ampule with isopropyl alcohol and breaking the neck of the ampule with the alcohol pad or gauze. The problem that many can attest to is the glass breaking in a way that punctures through the pad or gauze and cuts into one’s digits.Not only is this a painful issue, but there are other considerations when a member of the team cuts themselves: [...]

Standard technique for transferring a medication from a glass ampule involves swabbing the ampule with isopropyl alcohol and breaking the neck of the ampule with the alcohol pad or gauze. The problem that many can attest to is the glass breaking in a way that punctures through the pad or gauze and cuts into one’s digits.Not only is this a painful issue, but there are other considerations when a member of the team cuts themselves: [...]

2016 proved to be a fantastic year for Emergency Medicine PharmD. We have shared a lot of great content with you, and we hope to maintain our trajectory within the world of #FOAMed. Below are the top 10 posts in view count published this year on the blog: Trick of the Trade: Diphenhydramine for Local Anesthesia Author: Nadia Awad, PharmD, BCPS (@Nadia_EMPharmD) No More Epinephrine Ratios! Author: Craig Cocchio, PharmD, BCPS (@iEMPharmD) Managing Rate Control [...]

Thinking ahead is something most EM pharmacists are excellent at and we are – amongst other things – in the business of saving lives. On the (hopefully) rare occasion that the 30-something-year-old trauma patient rolls in with a blatantly obvious and observable poor prognosis, being steps ahead may be doing just that. In the back of your mind, you think this otherwise healthy patient could potentially be an organ donor. In the immediate, sense you [...]