Should children with gastroenteritis receive take-home ondansetron after an emergency department visit? We critically appraise a randomised trial, examining its symptom score, return visits and intravenous fluid use, and why the author questions its implications for routine prescribing.
Gastroenteritis in children: should we be sending them home with ondansetron? Read More
Three research reviews explore goal-directed chest compressions, ventilation during cardiac arrest and cerebral oximetry. Greg Yates considers what animal and human studies contribute to physiologically guided resuscitation, and where further evidence is needed.
Cardiac arrest: three quick hits Read More
Can bedside mixtures provide a reliable calcium gel for hydrofluoric acid burns? Greg Yates reviews a laboratory study of viscosity and calcium concentration, and considers what its findings mean for stocking commercial antidote supplies in emergency departments.
Hydrofluoric acid burns: stay on brand! Read More
In this emergency medicine toxicology blog, Gregory Yates takes us through a few recent papers on nitazenes, a group of (potent) synthetic opioids with high overdose potential.
Nitazenes: a deep(ish) dive on a growing problem Read More
Gregory Yates responds to an EMCRIT discussion of serotonin syndrome and related hyperthermic drug reactions. He examines why both drug histories and neurological signs can be difficult to interpret, and why diagnostic uncertainty matters when these syndromes overlap.
When things get exciting: Thoughts on the recent EMCRIT episode on serotonin syndromes. Read More
How do intramuscular olanzapine and haloperidol compare for acute agitation in the ED? Greg Yates examines a small open-label randomised trial, considering sedation outcomes, adverse events and how blinding and patient selection affect the conclusions.
Acute behavioural disturbances: olanzapine or haloperidol? Read More
How can we improve acute pain relief for patients who use opioids? Greg Yates reviews a trial of low-dose ketamine added to morphine, looking at short-term analgesia, adverse effects and the limits of applying its findings to patients using illicit opioids.
Should we be giving ketamine to opioid users in acute pain? Read More
Are cannabis edibles associated with different emergency presentations from inhaled cannabis? Greg Yates appraises an observational study and questions how its findings should be interpreted, including the authors’ conclusions about clinical impact and the case for further regulation.
Cannabis edibles: A cause for concern in the emergency department? Read More
