Pharmacy Pearls with Mike Perza

Known for candid perspectives and sense of humor, pediatric emergency guru Dr. Richard Cantor shares how PEM reminds residents to be present with patients. The organic nature of PEM requires us to use all five senses, engage with patients and their families, and see past burdensome EMRs. Dr. Cantor recalls his transformation from day one as an intern to life as an attending, and he reminds new practitioners to always do what's best for patients and their families.

Food is routinely withheld from patients entering the emergency department in order to prevent the theoretical risk of aspiration should they require operative intervention or procedural sedation. This practice is not evidence-based and does more harm than good. EMRA*Cast host Peter Lorenz, MD, and guest Chris Reilly, MD, dig into the literature, best practices, and the humanity behind denying patients food or water in the emergency department.

We're seeing a LOT more medications like Ozempic in the emergency department nowadays. In fact, 12% of U.S. adults have used a GLP-1 drug! So, what do we need to know about these drugs? Dr. Megan Boysen Osborn, Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of California Irvine, discusses these GLP-1 agonists with host Maiya Smith.

The transition from being a resident to an attending may be daunting for some. But have no fear, EMRA*Cast host Lizzii Le sits down with Gus Garmel, an Adjunct Clinical Professor of EM at Stanford University, author of multiple books on clinical education, to discuss this topic.

Students navigating the ERAS Application Cycle - or any residency application process - face a lot of stress and anxiety. Knowing the answer to every possible question is difficult, but having individuals with expertise in your corner is beneficial. Dr. Arlene Chung, current Vice Chair of Academic Affairs at the University of Vermont and previous Program Director at Maimonides Medical Center, joins host D’Monte Farley to provide valuable insight and helpful strategies to assist students while undergoing residency application season. 

Being a leader in emergency medicine, whether in the department or on the administrative side, is easier said than done. So, what are the skills a good leader should have, and what practices should they absolutely avoid? In this episode, host Masood Mohammed (@DocMooseEM) sits down with emergency medicine physician Dr. Azita Hamedani (@ahamedani) as she discusses her own journey as founding chair of an emergency department and shares wisdom on how to develop and grow as a leader within EM.

Acetaminophen is widely available over the counter in the United States, increasing the risk of overdose (both acute and chronic). Several factors contribute to the complexity of managing this tricky condition in the emergency department, but until recently, there has been no true standardized approach. Guidance issued in 2023 aims to establish a helpful framework for managing acetaminophen overdose.  EMRA*Cast host Kyle Duke, MD, breaks it down with EMRA Toxicology Committee Chair Mason Jackson, MD.

Atrial fibrillation can be a tricky thing to manage in the ED. Sometimes it is not always clear if you should treat it, how you should treat it, or if it’s even safe to treat. In this episode, Ray Isenburg and host Will Smith discuss the basics of AFib, how to treat it (both chemically and/or electrically), when is it safe to treat, and how to determine if this is something worth treating or if there is other pathology occurring that, once resolved, will resolve the heart rhythm.

Some pathologies are true can’t-miss diagnoses. Get into one such condition with EMRA*Cast host Will Smith, MD, and EM guru Matthew DeLaney, MD. In this episode you will learn a very simple and comprehensive workup for mesenteric ischemia.

Let’s hear it for the pharmacists who make every emergency medicine shift easier and safer. EMRA*Cast host Dustin Slagle, MD, picks up some pearls from Mike Perza, PharmD, BCPS.