Can arterial lines be placed during cardiac arrest in the ED, and what can they tell us? This appraisal reviews one department’s experience, the selection bias in its small intervention group and why feasibility does not establish better patient outcomes.
Illicit drug-induced hyperthermia presents difficult decisions under time pressure. This review discusses recognition, heat production, cooling and supportive care, drawing on clinical cases and examining the practical pitfalls of managing these uncommon emergencies.
Can salbutamol relieve pain in renal colic? We review a phase II randomised controlled trial exploring intravenous salbutamol as an adjunct analgesic in the emergency department.
A collection of trauma and resuscitation papers discussed at ICEM 2025 in Montreal, with summaries and critical appraisal. Topics include transfusion, oxygen strategies, paediatric cervical spine assessment, regional analgesia and emergency airway management.
A retrospective study describes emergency thoracotomy for penetrating trauma in two Cape Town district hospitals. We examine the reported outcomes, the constraints of these settings and why patient selection, timing and incomplete records matter when interpreting the results.
Philosophy of Emergency Medicine
Emergency care is more pressured than ever—but is compassion being lost in the chaos? This post explores the reality of compassion fatigue, the systemic and cultural barriers to empathy, and practical, evidence-based strategies to reconnect with patients in meaningful ways.
Practical perspectives on trauma care and team leadership.
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