Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis is Probably Safe Even When Patients are Taking Clopidogrel (Plavix)

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Cardiovascular diseases, Chest Tube, Hematology, King Tube, Medical General, medical procedures, Thoracentesis, Traumatology
More Tags – Clopidogrel, HPC updates, Plavix, Risks, Small-bore chest tube, thoracentesis
A prospective cohort single center study was conducted to analyze the risk associated with patients undergoing thoracentesis or small-bore chest tube placement while taking clopidogrel. Twenty-five patients taking clopidogrel gave consent to remain on the antiplatelet medication while undergoing thoracentesis…
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The Reasons Hospitalists Should Learn Hospital Procedures

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Arterial line, Central line, Chest Tube, Emergency Procedures, Endotracheal Intubation, FAST Exam, Glidescope Intubation, Hospital Procedures, King Tube, Lumbar Puncture, Medical General, medical procedures, Needle Decompression, Paracentesis, RUSH Exam, Thoracentesis, Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral IV
More Tags – emergency procedures, hospital procedures, HPC updates, medical procedures, simulation-based procedural training
Hospitalists are in the ideal position to perform bedside procedures on their patients. They know every aspect about their patients and have had the opportunity to develop a good rapport and the trust of their patients. So, why are they…
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Are Thienopyridines like Plavix Really Beneficial for Unstable Angina or NSTEMI?

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Cardiovascular diseases, Medical General, medical procedures, Thoracentesis
More Tags – HPC updates, NSTEMI, Plavix, Thienopyridines, unstable angina
In a new meta-analysis, early management of non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions with thienopyridines was not associated with significantly lower mortality and did not lower major adverse cardiovascular event rates for those eventually undergoing PCI. Current ACC/AHA guidelines support dual antiplatelet…
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Optimal Location for Needle Decompression For A Tension Pneumothorax

Hospital Procedure Consultants
More Articles – Central line, Emergency Procedures, medical procedures, Needle Decompression, Respiratory diseases, Thoracentesis, Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral IV
More Tags – HPC updates, needle decompression, needle decompression 5th intercostal space, needle insertion, needle thoracostomy placement, obstructive shock, pneumothorax
Needle decompression location Traditionally, needle decompression for the emergent treatment of a tension pneumothorax is the second intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line.  This remains an option for needle insertion when you are treating a tension pneumothorax.  This insertion point…
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Massive Price Reduction on HPC Hospitalist and Emergency Procedures CME courses

Hospital Procedure Consultants
More Articles – Arterial line, Emergency Procedures, Medical General, Paracentesis, Thoracentesis
Early Registration Discount for ALL 2014 Hospitalist and Emergency Procedures CME courses is now $150 for physicians and $200 for nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, medical students, resident physicians, and military physicians Click Here for PDF version May 13, 2014 –…
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Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Reduces the Rate of Pneumothorax and Tube Thoracostomy

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Cardiovascular diseases, Central line, Chest Tube, Emergency Procedures, medical procedures, Paracentesis, Thoracentesis
More Tags – HPC updates, thoracentesis, ultrasound-guided procedures, Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis
Numerous studies have shown that ultrasound guidance lowers the rate of complications and increases the success rate for virtually every hospital procedure compared with traditional landmark-based techniques. This has proved to be the case for ultrasound-guided central lines, ultrasound-guided paracentesis,…
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