Blunt Thoracic Trauma in the Emergency Department

Blunt Thoracic Trauma in the Emergency Department

Blunt thoracic trauma represents a large portion of trauma related injuries in the emergency department. Join Dr Ware as she discusses a practical approach to initial assessment using the ABCs, highlights the role of imaging (X-ray vs CT), and reviews management of common thoracic injuries.

Read More

Serratus Anterior Plane Blocks for Rib Fractures in the ED

Serratus Anterior Plane Blocks for Rib Fractures in the ED

Rib fractures occur in up to 10% of all traumatically injured patients and these fractures are frequently associated with respiratory complications such a pneumonia. In the ED, our typical protocol to decrease the incidence of these respiratory complications is early initiation of aggressive pain control and pulmonary hygiene. These patients often will receive systemic analgesia with opiates to decrease the incidence of these respiratory complications, which leads to its own set of opiate associated-complications, including constipation, delirium and dependence.

Read More