Bacterial Meningitis Diagnosis and Management

bacterial meningitis diagnosis
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Featured, Hospital Procedures, Lumbar Puncture
More Tags – diagnosis for bacterial meningitis, treatment for meningitis
The number of bacterial meningitis cases is over 1.2 million each year while 1 in 10 people who have it may die from the infection despite receiving treatment. Bacterial meningitis is an extremely serious and life-threatening condition requiring prompt diagnosis.…
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Important Updates in Chest Tube Management: Part 1

chest tube management
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Chest Tube, Featured
More Tags – chest tube, chest tube management, chest tube pain, chest tube pain management
Chest drainage is an ancient medical procedure that’s been used to treat infections, effusions, pneumothorax, and thoracic trauma. In the modern medical world, chest tubes are a ubiquitous tool for managing pneumothorax, pleural air leaks, traumatic hemothorax, infected pleural effusions,…
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Determining Central Line Depth of Insertion

large-central line depth
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Featured
More Tags – central line depth, central line insertion depth, central line placement, how far to put in central line depth, insertion central line
Central line placement is a common medical procedure that many healthcare professionals perform. Around 8% of hospitalized patients need central line access while over five million central venous catheters are inserted by medical professionals in the United States each year.…
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Diagnostic Thoracentesis and Pleural Effusion Analysis

Thoracentesis
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Featured, Thoracentesis
More Tags – cause of pleural effusion, pleural effusion, Pleural Effusion Etiology
Pleural effusion is a common yet complex medical condition that requires tailored and multidisciplinary treatment. Despite being a common disease, its cause remains unknown in at least 20% of patients even after diagnostic workups. Fortunately, pleural fluid tests have improved…
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Ultrasound-Guided Pericardiocentesis: Benefits and Techniques

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – ACLS, Featured, medical procedures, Pericardiocentesis
More Tags – Apical Technique, Parasternal Technique, pericardiocentesis, Subxiphoid Technique, Ultrasound-Guided, Ultrasound-Guided techniques
Pericardiocentesis Pericardiocentesis or a pericardial tap is a life-saving invasive medical procedure that physicians perform to eliminate a pericardial effusion, built-up fluid in the pericardium or the pericardial sac. This double-walled fibrous sac protects the heart and big vessels while…
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Retention of Simulation-Based Training for Emergency Procedures

Simulation-Based Training
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Central line, Emergency Procedures, Endotracheal Intubation, Featured, King Tube, Lumbar Puncture, Paracentesis, Pericardiocentesis, Thoracentesis
More Tags – emergency Simulation, Simulation training, Simulation Training for Lumbar Puncture
Critical emergency skills are an important tool in a healthcare provider’s arsenal. They must be able to safely perform emergency procedures to save lives when faced with a critical situation.  However, once they finish their studies and training, many physicians…
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Ultrasound-Guided Paracentesis

Ultrasound-Guided Paracentesis
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Central line, Featured, King Tube, medical procedures, Paracentesis
More Tags – Administering Ultrasound-Guided Paracentesis, paracentesis contraindications, paracentesis procedures, Patient Preparation for Paracentesis
Ultrasound-guided paracentesis is a common hospital procedure that medical professionals perform to drain ascites in patients with advanced cirrhosis. It has a low bleeding risk and is used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Although paracentesis is generally a safe procedure,…
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Are Lumbar Punctures Safe for Patients Taking Thienopyridines?

lumbar punctures
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Featured, Lumbar Puncture, medical procedures
More Tags – lumbar punctures and Thienopyridines, lumbar punctures Safety
Lumbar punctures (LPs) are a common medical procedure that is used to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to diagnose and manage neurological illnesses. Here, we delve into the results of a new study on the safety of LPs for patients undergoing…
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Manual Aspiration vs Gravity Drainage

Manual Aspiration
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Chest Tube, Featured, medical procedures, Thoracentesis
More Tags – GRAVITAS Trial, Gravity in Thoracentesis, Manual Aspiration in Thoracentesis
Conditions like congestive heart failure, pneumonia, cancer, and lupus can cause excess fluid to accumulate in the pleural space or area between the lungs and chest wall. To aspirate fluid from a pleural effusion, a medical procedure known as thoracentesis…
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What Is Awake Videolaryngoscopy?

Awake Videolaryngoscopy
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Chest Tube, Endotracheal Intubation, Featured, Glidescope Intubation, King Tube, Medical General
More Tags – awake Suctioning, awake videolaryngoscopy, featured procedure, Fibreoptic Intubation
Videolaryngoscopy has quickly become a popular method for airway management because it provides better visuals of the glottis. Failed intubations have decreased since more clinicians have begun to rely on videolaryngoscopy and the greater visibility it provides.  Awake videolaryngoscopy is…
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Intraosseous Lines: Decreased ROSC Rates and Survival Compared to Peripheral IV Access

Intraosseous Lines
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Emergency Procedures, Featured, Intraosseous line, medical procedures
More Tags – intraosseous line placement, intraosseous line vs Peripheral IV Access, intraosseous lines
Intraosseous lines are commonly associated with decreased return of spontaneous circulation or ROSC rates compared to peripheral IV access. Intraosseous lines have also been linked to decreased survival after out-of-hospital and in-hospital cases of cardiac arrest in comparison to IV…
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Pigtail Catheters vs Large-Bore Chest Tubes for Traumatic Hemothorax

Pigtail Catheters
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Chest Tube, Emergency Procedures, Featured, medical procedures
More Tags – Large-Bore Chest Tubes vs pigtail cathethers, pigtail catheters, pigtail catheters for Traumatic Hemothorax, pigtail catheters pros
Traditionally, traumatic hemothorax treatment called for the insertion of a 36-French (36F) to 40F large-bore chest tube (CT). In this article, we’ll delve into a study that shows how 14F percutaneous catheters (P-CATs or PCs) or pigtail catheters have equal…
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Early Paracentesis in Patients Admitted With Cirrhotic Ascites

refractory ascites
Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Featured Procedure, medical procedures, Paracentesis
More Tags – Cirrhotic ascites, cirrhotic symptoms, Early Paracentesis, featured, paracentesis
Cirrhosis refers to a chronic liver disease that causes the liver’s normal architecture to change. It leads to scarring, the formation of fibrous tissue, and fluid (ascites) in the abdomen. Some cases may require invasive hospital procedures. Ascites is cirrhosis’…
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