We cover a podcast from HEFT EMcast  demonstrating that needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space at the midclavicular line (2ICS MCL) is likely to fail.  They review a systematic review and meta-analysis by Laan et al in 2015 that suggests the fifth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line (5ICS AAL) is less likely to fail.

Then we delve into core content on pneumothoraces and empyemas using Tintinalli and Rosen's Emergency Medicine as a guide.

Thanks for listening,

Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer

We cover a post from Life in the Fast Lane Research and Reviews (LITFL R&R) #121  featuring a section on the new American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) guidelines on diverticulitis. The game changer?  Antibiotics aren't a requirement in select patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.

Then we delve into core content on diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and clostridium difficile using Rosen's Emergency Medicine (8e) and Tintinalli: A Comprehensive Review (7e).

Show notes at FOAMcast.org

Thanks for listening!

Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer

We bring you breaking news on the updated sepsis definition from the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

SIRS and Severe Sepsis?   Out.

qSOFA (HAT - Hypotension, AMS, Tachypnea)?  In.

Septic Shock?  Sepsis + Vasopressors needed to maintain MAP >65 mmHg + Lactate >2 mmol/L (*after adequate fluids)

We cover the Skeptic's Guide to Emergency Medicine Episode 144, "That Smell of Isopropyl Alcohol for Nausea in the Emergency Department." This podcast reviews an article by Beadle et al, an RCT on the use of inhalational isopropyl alcohol for nausea.

Then we delve into core content on vertigo using Rosen’s Medicine (8e) and Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide  (7e) on all things toxic alcohols

Thanks for listening!Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer

We cover an EMcrit episode on Semantics of End of Life Discussions with Dr. Ashley Shreves as well as pearls from another favorite episode with her, Episode 93 - Critical Care Palliation.  We can't do these episodes justice summarizing them so listen to them.

Key Pearls on moving away from "DNAR" and moving towards "AND" - Allow Natural Death, how to have the conversation, and with whom to have the end of life discussion.

Then we delve into core content on vertigo using Rosen’s Medicine (8e) electronic chapter, "End of Life,"  and Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide  (7e) Chapter 297 “Death and Dying.”

Thanks for listening!Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer

We cover two bits of FOAM,Emergency Medicine Literature of Note - Dr. Ryan Radecki - on the use of meclizine for vertigo and EMcrit - Dr. Scott Weingart on the HiNTs exam.

Then we delve into some of the problems with the HiNTs exam including it can only be performed on patients with continuous vertigo and that external validity is a major issue with HiNTs.

Then, we delve into core content on vertigo using Rosen’s Medicine (8e) Chapter 19,  and Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide  (7e) Chapter 164 “Vertigo and Dizziness."

Thanks for listening!

Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer

In this special episode we review some of the top items of 2015*

David Newman:

Haney Mallemat:

Michelle Lin

Rob Orman

Thanks for listening!

Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer

*Chosen by people smarter than we are.

(nb: Lauren initially wrote "smarter than us," but I fixed it. You're welcome, universe. -JF)

In this episode we cover The Skeptic's Guide to Emergency Medicine Episode on Regional Anesthesia for hip and femoral neck fractures.

Then we delve into core content on Rosen's and Tintinalli (Rosenalli) on core content pearls on compartment syndrome.

Thanks for listening!

Jeremy and Lauren

We cover Dr. Rory Spiegel's blog EMNERD, covering an article in Chest 2015 by Pivetta et al, discussing the ways lung ultrasound (US) may be far more helpful than the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in determining heart failure in the dyspneic patient. 

Then we delve into likelihood ratios and show notes can be found at FOAMCAST.org

Bottom Line, LR of 1 is useless. It doesn't change the likelihood of using the disease.

+ LR >5 is good, + LR of 10 means that a test is useful and, if positive, patient most likely had the disease

- LR 0.2 is ok but a - LR of 0.1 is much more helpful.

Using a Fagan nomogran, one can understand how various likelihood ratios (and tests with their known LRs) may affect the post-test probability (i.e. the likelihood the patient has the disease). The utility of tests also depends on the pretest probability.

The FOAM realm has teamed with interest in a randomized trial in the ICU by Semler et al, the FELLOW trial. This week we cover some aspects of this trial, such as statistical power, highlighted in some of the following Free Open Access Medical Education (FOAM) posts

Then, we delve into core content on epistaxis and sinusitis using Rosenalli (Tintinalli (7e) Chapter 239, “Epistaxis, Nasal Fractures, and Rhinosinusitis.” Rosen’s  (8e) Chapter 75, “Upper Respiratory Infection.", "Otolaryngology") as a guide.

Thanks for listening,

Jeremy Faust and Lauren Westafer