A Cook County Hospital Emergency Medicine Blog for up-to-date medicine and more.
Image Source: https://transformpeds.childrensmercy.org/food-insecurity-screening-in-the-allergy-specialty/
Food insecurity has many implications for patients, including associations with frequent ED use, foregoing medication to afford food, and worsening control of chronic medical conditions. Screening for food insecurity is a potential tool for EPs to utilize to improve patient outcomes, assist in adherence to treatment plans, and reduce ED utilization.
Michael Hohl, MD and Rashid Kysia, MD
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The Case:
A 48 yo M with a past medical history of hypertension and heroin use disorder presents to the Emergency Department (ED) with body aches and vomiting since this morning in the context of 14 hours since last heroin used. You note the patient is diaphoretic and restless with moderately dilated pupils, rhinorrhea, and a slight tremor. You are concerned the patient is in withdrawal. He is interested in getting into a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program; however, he is currently undomiciled and does not know if he can follow up outpatient tomorrow. Here we discuss options to treat the patient's withdrawal and help bridge to outpatient MAT.
Taylor Wahrenbrock, MD and Michael Nelson, MD
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The emergency physician has clear, memorized algorithms for the most common ischemic events, such as in acute coronary syndromes or cerebrovascular accidents. Less frequent but requiring the same level rapid action is priapism, can result in penile ischemia and dysfunction. Here we cover an emergency physician approach to management priapism.
Kurt Frick, MS4
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