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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Basic Management of Refractory Ascites: Part 2

refractory ascites
Dr. Rick Rutherford, M.D., FAAFP
More Articles – Featured, Hospital Procedures
More Tags – how long can you live with ascites, liver ascites life expectancy, refractory ascites cirrhosis prognosis, refractory ascites life expectancy, severe ascites life expectancy, what is refractory ascites
In the first part of this article, we covered that ascites occur when excessive fluid accumulates in the peritoneal cavity. Such occurrences must be treated with diuretics, paracentesis, and possibly TIPPS procedure. We also mentioned how refractory ascites occurs when…
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Basic Management of Refractory Ascites: Part 1

refractory ascites
Dr. Rick Rutherford, M.D., FAAFP
More Articles – Featured, Hospital Procedures
More Tags – life expectancy with ascites, refractory ascites life expectancy, refractory ascites symptoms, what is refractory ascites
Ascites is the accumulation of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity and can occur as a complication of a scarred liver, otherwise known as cirrhosis. While ascites is treated according to its underlying root cause, refractory ascites poses a bigger…
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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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Emergency Airway: Definition, Risks, and Techniques

Dr. Rick Rutherford, M.D., FAAFP
More Articles – Emergency Procedures, Featured
More Tags – Emergency Airway Procedure, emergency FONA, emergency surgical airway, FONA
If a patient’s airway is compromised during a life-threatening situation, prompt and effective intervention is crucial. This includes front-of-neck access (FONA) emergency airway, or cricothyroidotomy. Also known as cricothyrotomy, it is a specialized procedure that creates emergency access to the…
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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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Clinical Uses of POCUS for Emergency and Hospital Clinicians

clinical uses of pocus
Dr. Rick Rutherford, M.D., FAAFP
More Articles – Emergency Procedures, Featured, Hospital Procedures, medical procedures, Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral IV
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a revolutionary diagnostic method that helps enhance physical examination at the point of care, that is, the patient’s bedside. Clinicians can use this tool to quickly diagnose medical conditions and guide treatment or bedside procedures, including…
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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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Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department
Dr. Rick Rutherford, M.D., FAAFP
More Articles – Emergency Procedures, FAST Exam, Featured, medical procedures, RUSH Exam
More Tags – POCUS, pocus in emergency, pocus training, Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department
Ultrasound technology has revolutionized the medical industry and provided physicians with the ability to visualize internal tissue and organs in real time. Advancements and changing trends in medical technology have also seen smaller and more affordable ultrasound machines cropping up…
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eFAST Exam: An Evaluative Tool for Trauma

efast exam
Dr. Rick Rutherford, M.D., FAAFP
More Articles – Chest Tube, Emergency Procedures, FAST Exam, Featured, King Tube, Medical General, RUSH Exam
More Tags – Diagnostic Accuracy of eFAST, eFAST Exam, eFAST in Trauma
Injury causes over 150,000 deaths per year in the U.S. and over 5 million worldwide.  Around 80% of these traumatic injuries are blunt, with incidences of fatality secondary to hypovolemic shock and intraperitoneal bleeds. Fatalities can be prevented if professionals…
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