Emergency Trauma Care: Current Topics & Controversies Volume IV -
$249.00

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This course covers most recent advances in management of traumatic pneumothorax; evaluation, cleansing, and repair of acute traumatic wounds; diagnosis and management of rib fractures; and severe spinal cord injury or fracture management. Includes 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Pneumothorax, or air in the pleural space, is common in trauma, and has been found in up to 50% of severe polytrauma patients with chest injury. Although pneumothorax is traditionally diagnosed on plain film and confirmed with CT, the advent of portable ultrasonography has provided a way to rapidly diagnose pneumothorax, with a higher sensitivity than plain film. Patients with traumatic pneumothorax are typically treated with needle decompression or tube thoracostomy. However, recent literature has found that many patients can be managed conservatively via observation, or with a smaller thoracostomy such as a percutaneous pigtail catheter rather than a larger chest tube.
Although most minor traumatic wounds and lacerations will heal well, proper management is required to optimize outcomes and prevent infection. A thorough assessment of the wound characteristics and any patient risk factors will be essential to guide management decisions. This supplement reviews evidence-based recommendations for the evaluation, cleansing, and repair of acute traumatic wounds.
Rib fractures that result from blunt thoracic trauma are painful injuries that can signal life-threatening cardiopulmonary injury, and quick recognition of the risk factors and optimal diagnostic imaging and treatment are essential to avoid significant morbidity and mortality. This issue reviews the most recent evidence on diagnosis and management of rib fractures.
Given the potential for devastating disability and financial consequences of severe spinal cord injury, it is essential for emergency physicians to be able to act quickly to secure the airway and breathing, perform a neurological assessment, determine appropriate imaging, and expedite disposition.

Includes 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. CME expires 10/01/2024.

Included in this course:

Four evidence-based modules delivered in online and PDF formats, reviewing advances in management of traumatic pneumothorax; evaluation, cleansing, and repair of acute traumatic wounds; diagnosis and management of rib fractures; and severe spinal cord injury or fracture management.
16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM

Course Chapters

Chapter 1: Traumatic Pneumothorax: Updates in Diagnosis and Management in the Emergency Department

Pneumothorax, or air in the pleural space, is common in trauma, and has been found in up to 50% of severe polytrauma patients with chest injury. Findings associated with pneumothorax include dyspnea, chest pain, tachypnea, and absent breath sounds on lung auscultation. Although pneumothorax is traditionally diagnosed on plain film and confirmed with CT, the advent of portable ultrasonography has provided a way to rapidly diagnose pneumothorax, with a higher sensitivity than plain film. Patients with traumatic pneumothorax are typically treated with needle decompression or tube thoracostomy. However, recent literature has found that many patients can be managed conservatively via observation, or with a smaller thoracostomy such as a percutaneous pigtail catheter rather than a larger chest tube.

CME Credits: 4

Chapter 2: Emergency Department Management of Cervical Spine Injuries

The majority of the nearly 18,000 new cases of spinal cord injury in the United States each year involve the cervical spine. Although the morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs associated with these injuries is very high, quality evidence to guide emergency management is limited. Recent changes to guidelines have called into question decades of practice, including prehospital spinal immobilization protocols, timing of surgery, and pharmacotherapy. A systematic approach to the diagnosis and management of the spine-injured patient is outlined in this review, with a focus on recent updates and management of emergent complications.

CME Credits: 4

Chapter 3: Emergency Department Management of Rib Fractures

Rib fractures resulting from blunt thoracic trauma are often associated with life-threatening complications of injury to cardiorespiratory systems. Given the risk for morbidity and mortality, the emergency clinician must be swift and thorough in diagnosing and managing these injuries. Society guidelines have been published to assist in determining best-practice approaches to pain control, imaging, and treatment. This issue reviews the recent studies and evidence for multimodal pain control, decision tools for diagnostic imaging, ventilatory support, and operative fixation. Scoring systems to determine disposition of patients are evaluated, with particular attention given to the special risks to the elderly patient.

CME Credits: 4

Chapter 4: Acute Traumatic Wounds: Evaluation, Cleansing, and Repair in the ED

Traumatic wounds are a common presentation in the emergency department. While most minor traumatic wounds and lacerations will heal well, appropriate management is required to preserve function and cosmesis as well as to prevent infection and other complications. This supplement reviews evidence-based recommendations for management of acute traumatic wounds, including evaluation, cleansing, anesthesia, selection of closure methods and materials, and post-repair instruction. Management of high-risk wounds and special considerations for the evaluation and repair of facial lacerations are also reviewed.

CME Credits: 4