We’re back with another episode of Push Dose Pearls with ED Clinical Pharacist, Haley Burhans! In this episode, we break down the essentials of managing agitation in the ED—starting with why you should avoid diphenhydramine in the elderly and benzodiazepines in the 3 D’s: drunk, delirium, and dementia. We discuss how to quickly assess the cause, choose the right medication, and decide between IM and IV routes. And Haley offers some key safety tips and considerations for special populations, including kids and the elderly. 

Was this episode helpful? What other medications would you like to learn more about? Hit us up on social media @empulsepodcast or at ucdavisem.com

Hosts:

Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guests:

Haley Burhans, PharmD, Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist at UC Davis

Resources:

ACEP’s New Clinical Policy on Severe Agitation. By Molly E.W. Thiessen, MD, FACEP | on February 12, 2024

Pediatric Education and Advocacy Kit (PEAK): Agitation

Hoffmann JA, Pergjika A, Konicek CE, Reynolds SL. Pharmacologic Management of Acute Agitation in Youth in the Emergency Department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2021 Aug 1;37(8):417-422. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002510. PMID: 34397677; PMCID: PMC8383287.

Gerson R, Malas N, Feuer V, Silver GH, Prasad R, Mroczkowski MM. Best Practices for Evaluation and Treatment of Agitated Children and Adolescents (BETA) in the Emergency Department: Consensus Statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry. West J Emerg Med. 2019 Mar;20(2):409-418. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2019.1.41344. Epub 2019 Feb 19. Erratum in: West J Emerg Med. 2019 May;20(3):537. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2019.4.43550. Erratum in: West J Emerg Med. 2019 Jul;20(4):688-689. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2019.4.44160. PMID: 30881565; PMCID: PMC6404720..

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. John Rose as cohost for a conversation with Dr. Gary Tamkin—Emergency Physician and Vice President of Provider Development at US Acute Care Solutions. Together, they explore what it really takes to find happiness and fulfillment in the high-stakes world of emergency medicine. From the trap of the arrival fallacy to the pressure of always chasing the next milestone, Dr. Tamkin shares personal insights and practical strategies tailored to the unique challenges EM clinicians face. You’ll come away with two actionable tools to help build more meaning, balance, and joy—both on shift and off.

What are your tips for avoiding burnout and finding balance? Share them with us on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com

Hosts:

Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guest Host:

Dr. John Rose, Professor of Emergency Medicine and EMS Medical Director at UC Davis

Guest:

Dr. Gary Tamkin, Emergency Physician and Vice President of Provider Development and US Acute Care Solutions

Resources:

Podcast: 10% Happier with Dan Harris

Podcast: Hidden Brain with Shankar Vedantam

Transitions by William Bridges, PhD with Susan Bridges

The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

Hypoglycemia can be subtle—or dangerously obvious—and knowing when and how to treat it is critical. In her first episode as our new Push Dose Pearls expert, Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist, Haley Burhans, joins us to break it down. We discuss glucose thresholds by age, when to draw critical labs, and how to choose the right treatment—whether it’s oral glucose, IV dextrose, or IM or intranasal glucagon. From neonates to older adults, Haley delivers practical, evidence-based pearls to help you manage low blood sugar safely and effectively in the ED.

Was this episode helpful? What other medications would you like to learn more about? Hit us up on social media @empulsepodcast or at ucdavisem.com

Hosts:

Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guests:

Haley Burhans, PharmD, Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist at UC Davis

Resources:

Gandhi K. Approach to hypoglycemia in infants and children. Transl Pediatr. 2017 Oct;6(4):408-420. doi: 10.21037/tp.2017.10.05. PMID: 29184821; PMCID: PMC5682370.

Rickels MR, Ruedy KJ, Foster NC, Piché CA, Dulude H, Sherr JL, Tamborlane WV, Bethin KE, DiMeglio LA, Wadwa RP, Ahmann AJ, Haller MJ, Nathan BM, Marcovina SM, Rampakakis E, Meng L, Beck RW; T1D Exchange Intranasal Glucagon Investigators. Intranasal Glucagon for Treatment of Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Noninferiority Study. Diabetes Care. 2016 Feb;39(2):264-70. doi: 10.2337/dc15-1498. Epub 2015 Dec 17. PMID: 26681725; PMCID: PMC4722945..

MD Calc GIR (Glucose Infusion Rate) Calculator

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

Summer travel is in full swing and, for physicians, that means more than just packing swimsuits and sunscreen. In this episode of EM Pulse, we sit down with wilderness medicine expert, Dr. Mary Bing, to unpack the real-world essentials of travel medical kits. From duct tape and whistles to epinephrine and steroids, you’ll learn what to bring, how to tailor your supplies based on destination and group, and why your role as a physician—formal or not—comes with extra responsibilities. Whether you’re headed to the Alps or the backyard, this episode is your go-to guide for staying medically prepared on the move. Don’t just travel light—travel smart.

What’s in your first aid kit? Hit us op on on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com

Hosts:

Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guests:

Dr. Mary Bing, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Assistant EM Residency Program Director at UC Davis

Resources:

Surviving a Wilderness Emergency by Peter Kummerfeldt

ACEP: First Aid Kit

U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Traveling with medication

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

In this follow-up to our artificial intelligence in EM series, we’re diving into how AI can enhance your professional life outside of clinical shifts. Joined by Dr. Jaymin Patel—Assistant Residency Program Director and tech-savvy educator—we explore three practical AI tools that can streamline teaching, content creation, communication, and even how you consume literature on your commute. From ChatGPT to DALL·E to NotebookLM, we break down what each tool does, how to use it effectively, what pitfalls to avoid, and how even non-educators can leverage them. Tune in to learn how to use AI intentionally, efficiently, and ethically in your day-to-day professional life. 

Are you using AI in your professional life? What’s your favorite tool? Share your experience with us on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com

Hosts:

Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guests:

Dr. Jaymin Patel, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Assistant EM Residency Program Director at UC Davis

Resources:

Nivritti Gajanan Patil, Nga Lok Kou, Daniel T. Baptista-Hon, Olivia Monteiro. Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education: A Practical Guide for Educators. MedComm – Future MedicineVolume 4, Issue 2 e70018. First published: 02 April 2025 https://doi.org/10.1002/mef2.70018

ChatGPT

DALL•E

NotebookLM

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

In this episode of EM Pulse, Dr. Daniel Hernandez, an emergency medicine and addiction specialist at UC Davis, joins the team to spotlight methadone—one of the original and still powerful tools for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). While newer medications like buprenorphine often steal the spotlight, methadone remains a critical option, especially in the era of fentanyl. Tune in for a practical conversation on when and how to initiate methadone in the ED, navigating regulatory barriers, arranging follow-up at opioid treatment programs, and managing pain in patients already on methadone. Whether you’re new to methadone or looking to sharpen your approach, this episode offers real-world insights and actionable pearls 

Have you started methadone from the ED? Share your experience with us on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com

Hosts:

Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guests:

Dr. Daniel Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Assistant Director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at UC Davis

Resources:

CA Bridge

ACEP/CA Bridge – Methadone Hospital Quick Start

Liberate Methadone: An Introduction for the Emergency Medicine Physician

By Terence M. Hughes, MD; Joan Chen, MD; and Utsha G. Khatri, MD, MSHP | on April 14, 2025

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

This is the next episode of our Push Dose Pearls miniseries with ED Clinical Pharmacist, Chris Adams. In this ongoing series we’ll dig into some of the questions we all have about medications we commonly see and use in the ED. In this epsidoe, we unpack the complexities of anticoagulation reversal in the emergency department – It’s not just about vitamin K anymore! Tune in as we explore the key reversal agents, when and why to use them, how fast they work, and the risks that come with turning off anticoagulation. From bleeding emergencies to stroke prevention, this quick dive offers practical pearls for navigating the coagulation cascade in real time.

Have you had a bad GI bleed or intracranial hemorrhage in a patient on thinners?. Share your story with us on social media or at ucdavisem.com.

Hosts:

Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guests:

Christopher Adams, PharmD, Emergency Department Senior Clinical Pharmacist and former Assistant Professor at UC Davis

Resources:

Baugh CW, Levine M, Cornutt D, et al. Anticoagulant Reversal Strategies in the Emergency Department Setting: Recommendations of a Multidisciplinary Expert Panel. Ann Emerg Med. 2020 Oct;76(4):470-485. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2019.09.001. Epub 2019 Nov 13. PMID: 31732375; PMCID: PMC7393606.

ACEP Point of Care Tools: Anticoagulation Reversal.

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

Big news for emergency medicine residencies! The ACGME is proposing several major changes to EM program requirements. To comply with these new requirements, programs would need to be 4 years long. This is a hotly debated topic at the moment as most EM residencies in the U.S. currently are 3 year programs. So what are the proposed changes? How would they affect the curriculum and training for future EM physicians? To answer these questions, we sit down with UC Davis EM Program Director and medical education specialist, Dr. Aaron Danielson. 

What do you think of these proposed changes? We’d love to hear from you. We’re on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com

Host:

Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guest:

Dr. Aaron Danielson, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director at UC Davis

Resources:

Share your comments with the ACGME

ACEP: ACGME Releases Proposed Changes to EM Program Requirements

UC Davis Emergency Medicine Residency Program

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

Disclaimer

In the fourth and final episode of our advocacy mini series with guest host, Dr. Anna Yap, we dive into a powerful story of advocacy led by a mother-daughter duo. Pediatric nurse practitioner Robyn Lao and her 9-year-old daughter, Addie, who has severe food allergies, turned their personal challenges into a statewide movement by co-authoring California Senate Bill 68—the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act. Together, they share their journey from navigating daily food allergy struggles to pushing for legislative change, proving that anyone, at any age, can make a difference. Tune in to hear how their determination is shaping a safer future for millions.

Have you been involved in health care related legislation? Share your story with us on social media @empulsepodcast or at ucdavisem.com

Host:

Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guest Host:

Dr. Anna Yap, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director and Health Policy & Administration Fellowship Director at UC Davis

Guest:

Robyn Lao, D.N.P., C.P.N.P.-A.C., Pediatric Surgery Nurse Practitioner at UC Davis 

Addie Lao, 9-year-old Food Allergy Advocate

Resources:

Addie’s website: Addie Tells All

Addie’s Video and YouTube Channel

California SB 68: The Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act

ACEP: Tools for Effective State Advocacy

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

Disclaimer

In the third episode of our advocacy mini series with Dr. Anna Yap, we explore the evolving challenges faced by transgender patients and medical professionals in today’s political climate. We’re joined by Charlie Adams, a fourth-year medical student and dedicated advocate, who shares his powerful journey fighting for transgender rights and health equity. Together, we discuss the importance of gender-affirming care, the real-world impact of restrictive laws, and how we can improve emergency department care for transgender patients. Tune in for an insightful conversation on advocacy, inclusivity, and the role we all play in creating a more supportive healthcare system.

How have your patients and your practice environment been affected by legal and political changes in transgender rights? Share your story with us on social media @empulsepodcast or at ucdavisem.com

Host:

Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis

Guest Host:

Dr. Anna Yap, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director and Health Policy & Administration Fellowship Director at UC Davis

Guest:

Charlie Adams, Medical Student, Future Emergency Physician, and Transgender Health Advocate 

Resources:

Charlie Adams’ Instagram: @transproudmed

ACEP: Caring for Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients in the Emergency Department

Clarifying Misconceptions About Youth Gender-Affirming Care. By Center for Health Journalism Fellow, Sophie Putka. May 22, 2024

Trans adults on edge as legislatures broaden focus beyond children. Washington Post, February 15, 2024

Gender-affirming care is life-saving, research says. Why is it so controversial? by David Oliver, USA Today, Nov 1, 2023

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Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

Disclaimer