A Cook County Hospital Emergency Medicine Blog for up-to-date medicine and more.
Influenza A is frequently a big culprit of respiratory illness during the winter months. Inevitably, the question often arrives from consultants, attendings, or colleagues at sign-out, “Did they get Tamiflu?” This is often met with a variety of responses and debates regarding its efficacy at times. However, what does the literature actually say regarding the use of Tamiflu?
Kathryn McGregor, MD and Eric Leser, MD
Read More“Sulfa” allergies are a commonly listed allergen. Each time we see this, we have to mentally or physically review the list of medications that contain “sulfa” as the many are not intuitive. Here, we evaluate whether non-antibiotic “sulfa” containing medications are safe to give those in patients with previous reactions to “sulfa” antibiotics.
Joanne C Routsolias, PharmD, RN, BCPS
Read MoreThe presentation of patients with peritonsillar abscesses can range from uncomfortable to respiratory distress and failure. Although antibiotics and I&D will result in definitive management of the process, both require time. Thankfully, the administration of steroids is one thing that can buy you time. Here, our emergency department clinical pharmacist and a student pharmacist review a pharmacologic method of protecting a patient’s airway in those with PTAs.
Aonyea Spinks-Boykins, P4 Pharmacy Student, MWU Doctor Pharmacy Candidate and Joanne Routsolias, PharmD
Read More
