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by Emergency Medical Minute
Our near daily podcasts move quickly to reflect current events, are inspired by real patient care, and speak to the true nature of what it's like to work in the Emergency Room or Pre-Hospital Setting. Each medical minute is recorded in a real emergency department, by the emergency physician or clinical pharmacist on duty – the ER is our studio and everything is live.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 days ago36 min
Carepoint Journal Club- Neurology
Carepoint Journal Club is a quarterly series with discussions about a medical topic, brought to you by Carepoint's Emergency Physicians.
- 1 weeks ago1 min
Podcast 1009: Prevention for Recurrent UTI
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: UTIs are commonly seen in older women We often see them taking long-term prophylactic antibiotics because of common recurrence. Around 20-30% of older women who develop a UTI have a recurrence due to either diagnostic failure, treatment failure or non-compliance with treatment. UTI signs and symptoms Burning sensation when urinating Strong urge to urinate Urinating often and passing small amounts of urine. Pelvic pain There are currently more guidelines and studies on treatments to prevent these recurrent UTIs in women that we can start in the Emergency Department. Vaginal estrogen has been shown to significantly reduce this issue of recurrence. Very simple prescriptions can be prescribed in the ED It has little systemic absorption and is generally very safe and effective. References Wells BA, De EJB, Visingardi J, Feustel PJ. IP15-36 IMPACT OF VAGINAL ESTROGEN ON SERIOUS ADVERSE OUTCOMES IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY. Journal of Urology [Internet]. 2025 May 1;213(5S):e778. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JU.0001109984.67114.74.36 Ackerman AL, Bradley M, D'Anci KE, Hickling D, Kim SK, Kirkby E. Updates to Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (2025). J Urol. 0(0). doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000004723 Kaufman MR, Ackerman LA, Amin KA, et al. The AUA/SUFU/AUGS Guideline on Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. J Urol. 0(0). doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000004589 Meister MR, Wang C, Lowder JL, Mysorekar IU. Vaginal Estrogen Therapy Is Associated With Decreased Inflammatory Response in Postmenopausal Women With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021 Jan 1;27(1):e39-e44. doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000790. PMID: 31725016; PMCID: PMC7737516. Nazarko L. Recurrent lower urinary tract infection in older women [Internet]. Urology & Continence Care Today. Available from: https://www.ucc-today.com/journals/issue/launch-edition/article/recurrent-lower-urinary-tract-infection-in-older-women-ucct Summarized by Aaryn David & Ahmed Abdel-Hafiz | Edited by Aaryn David & Ahmed Abdel-Hafiz, NREMT-P Donate: https://emergencymedicalminute.org/donate/ Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/c9ouHf
- 2 weeks ago2 min
Podcast 1008: Acupuncture for Low Back Pain in Older Adults
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Back pain is a common presenting complaint in the emergency department. Challenges arise when tailoring care to elderly populations using standard medical therapy: Muscle relaxants carry the risk of CNS depression or anticholinergic effects such as urinary retention and confusion. Pain medications such as opiates have side effects including constipation, respiratory depression, and hypotension. NSAIDs carry a risk of GI bleeding and worsening kidney function with chronic use. A randomized clinical trial assessing the effects of acupuncture on low back pain took 800 adults aged 65 and older with chronic low back pain and placed them into one of three treatment arms: Usual medical care Standard acupuncture consisting of 8–15 treatment sessions over 12 weeks, plus usual medical care Standard acupuncture consisting of 8–15 treatment sessions over 12 weeks, plus 4-6 maintenance sessions during the next 12 weeks, plus usual medical care Using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score, they assessed disability at 6 months and 12 months. The study found that those who had undergone treatment with acupuncture had significantly greater improvements in disability related to low back pain compared to the group that was only treated with usual medical care. Acupuncture is not used in the ER, but could represent a relatively safe adjunctive therapy for patients who are not responding to standard medical therapy alone. References: American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. Best practices guidelines: geriatric trauma management. American College of Surgeons; 2023. Accessed May 27, 2026. https://www.facs.org/media/ubyj2ubl/best-practices-guidelines-geriatric-trauma.pdf DeBar LL, Wellman RD, Justice M, et al. Acupuncture for chronic low back pain in older adults: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(9):e2531348. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.31348 Summarized by Ashley Lyons, OMS3 | Edited by Ashley Lyons & Ahmed Abdel-Hafiz, NREMT-P
- 3 weeks ago4 min
Podcast 1007: Caffeine Pharmacology
Contributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: Caffeine Geography and Types: Caffeine is found throughout the world and has evolved independently in various plants that are not evolutionarily related through direct lineage, but rather demonstrate convergent evolution (i.e. different species evolve the same traits). These plants use caffeine as an insecticide. Examples of caffeine sources include coffee, tea, yerba-mate, guaraná, cacao, and yaupon holly. Roughly 85% of Americans are estimated to consume caffeine daily. Caffeine Pharmacology in Humans: In humans, caffeine is a nonselective competitive antagonist (blocker) of adenosine receptors (A1 and A2A). During waking hours, neuronal metabolic activity consumes ATP, and a byproduct of ATP hydrolysis is created: adenosine. Adenosine proceeds to build a "sleep pressure". Acting on A1 and A2A adenosine receptors to induce sleep (on A1, it suppresses neuronal "wakefulness" and on A2A it is believed to be an inducer of sleep). Caffeine, by blocking those receptors, blunts sleep induction and feelings of being tired. Caffeine has a half-life of around 6 hours, and a quarter life of approximately 12 hours, which is when the caffeine will off-load and adenosine can once again occupy those receptors, potentially causing a "crash". Thus, for shift-workers, it is important to time caffeine intake roughly 10 hours before target bed time. Caffeine exerts other effects on the body. It is methylxanthine similar to theophylline, which works as a bronchodilator (via phosphodiesterase and adenosine pathways). Caffeine has clinical use to promote bronchodilation in pre-term infants. Caffeine exerts diuretic effects as well (blocking proximal renal tubule reabsorption). Recent ingestion of caffeine may blunt therapeutic use of adenosine in patients with SVT. Key Takeaway? Caffeine exerts a wide variety of effects beyond making us feel more awake. It has cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal implications in its pharmacodynamics. References Benarroch EE. Adenosine and its receptors: multiple modulatory functions and potential therapeutic targets for neurologic disease. Neurology. 2008;70(3):231-236. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000297939.18236.ec Mitchell DC, Knight CA, Hockenberry J, Teplansky R, Hartman TJ. Beverage caffeine intakes in the U.S. Food Chem Toxicol. 2014;63:136-142. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.10.042 Bruschettini M, Brattström P, Russo C, Onland W, Davis PG, Soll R. Caffeine dosing regimens in preterm infants with or at risk for apnea of prematurity - Bruschettini, M - 2023 | Cochrane Library. Accessed May 23, 2026. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013873.pub2/full?cookiesEnabled Huang R, O'Donnell AJ, Barboline JJ, Barkman TJ. Convergent evolution of caffeine in plants by co-option of exapted ancestral enzymes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016;113(38):10613-10618. doi:10.1073/pnas.1602575113 Cabalag MS, Taylor DM, Knott
- May 18, 20265 min
Podcast 1006: Cannabinoid Pharmacology
Contributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: Endocannabinoid System: THC binds CB1 and CB2 receptors in neurons and immune cells Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis CB1 and CB2 receptors typically bind endogenously-produced 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA) to regulate pain, stress, and inflammation THC similarly binds CB1 and CB2, leading to the cannabinoid high: euphoria, paranoia, anxiety, analgesia, anti-inflammation, and appetite, among a variety of others Ingestion via edibles, vice inhalation via smoking, leads to chemical modification of Δ9-THC to 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC, which more easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds CB1 with higher affinity, leading to increased psychoactivity Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Chronic THC use leading to the classic presentation of persistent nausea and intense, frequent vomiting Chronic activation of CB1 receptors in brain builds a tolerance and dependence on THC, in addition to chronic activation of the capsaicin and vanilloid receptor TRPV1, which binds capsaicin or is activated by heat Treatment by warm showers works due to TRPV1 activation by heat Treated with benzodiazepines, fluids, and gastro-intestinal or central nervous system agents according to patient presentation Over 200 synthetic cannabinoids have been created (K2, spice, black mamba, mojo, etc), which are more dangerous and can lead to a variety of etiologies Acetaminophen binds CB1 receptors to reduce inflammatory pain References Loganathan P, Gajendran M, Goyal H. A Comprehensive Review and Update on Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2024;17(11):1549. Published 2024 Nov 18. doi:10.3390/ph17111549 Wall ME, Sadler BM, Brine D, Taylor H, Perez-Reyes M. Metabolism, disposition, and kinetics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in men and women. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1983 Sep;34(3):352-63. doi: 10.1038/clpt.1983.179. PMID: 6309462. Mills B, Yepes A, Nugent K. Synthetic Cannabinoids. Am J Med Sci. 2015 Jul;350(1):59-62. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0000000000000466. PMID: 26132518. Klinger-Gratz PP, Ralvenius WT, Neumann E, et al. Acetaminophen Relieves Inflammatory Pain through CB1 Cannabinoid Receptors in the Rostral Ventromedial Medulla. J Neurosci. 2018;38(2):322-334. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1945-17.2017 Summarized by Sam Pahl | Edited by Sam Pahl & Ahmed Abdel-Hafiz, NREMT-P Donate: https://emergencymedicalminute.org/donate/ Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/c9ouHf
- May 11, 20262 min
Podcast 1005: Balanced Fluid vs Normal Saline in Pediatric Patients
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: There has long been many questions about which IV fluid is best for ED resuscitation Multiple adult studies have shown no clear benefit of balanced fluid vs normal saline A large pediatric randomized clinical trial published in April compared balanced fluid vs normal saline in children with septic shock The study included about 9,000 patients from 47 emergency departments in five countries Patients with septic shock were randomized to receive either balanced fluid or normal saline The primary outcome was adverse kidney event (death, dialysis, or persistent kidney dysfunction) at 30 days or hospital discharge Results showed no difference in any safety outcomes and no adverse events occurred The key takeaway is that early fluid resuscitation matters more than which crystalloid you choose References Balamuth F, Weiss SL, Long E, et al. Balanced Fluid or 0.9% Saline in Children Treated for Septic Shock. New England Journal of Medicine. Published online April 23, 2026. doi:https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2601969 Summarized by Meg Joyce, MS3 | Edited by Meg Joyce & Ahmed Abdel-Hafiz, NREMT-P Donate: https://emergencymedicalminute.org/donate/
- May 7, 202625 min
Carepoint Journal Club: Occlusion Myocardial Infarction
Carepoint Journal Club is a quarterly series with discussions about a medical topic, brought to you by Carepoint's Emergency Physicians.
- May 4, 20264 min
Podcast 1004: Sinus Arrest Post TAVR
Contributor: Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: Conduction abnormalities are a common and clinically significant complication in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) Clinical Features The most common abnormalities include high grade AV block and new onset LBBB Due to the close proximity of the aortic annulus to the AV node and His-Purkinje system More common in males, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conduction disease (RBBB or LBBB) Sinus pauses and sinus arrest are a rare post-TAVR rhythm disturbances Temporary failure of sinus node firing with absent P waves, followed by return of sinus rhythm Sinus Pauses: Typically last Sinus Arrest: Typically last > 3 seconds Not due to direct mechanical injury from the valve, but may occur in patients as a result of pre-existing disease or other external factors: Medications Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin Pre-existing damage to the SA node Fibrosis from a previous MI Treatment If the patient is asymptomatic, provide ongoing surveillance If the patient is symptomatic, treatment should be aimed at the underlying cause: For medication-induced abnormalities, stop the offending medication For acute, unstable bradycardia: Medications: Atropine, Dopamine Infusion, Epinephrine Infusion If cardiology is not immediately available, initiate transcutaneous pacing or insert a temporary transvenous pacemaker Definitive treatment: Pacemaker ~10–15% of patients may develop a bradyarrhythmia post TAVR, with ~8-15% later requiring a pacemaker Due to the risk of conduction abnormalities post TAVR, many patients are discharged with ambulatory rhythm monitoring such as a ZioPatch or Holter monitor, and may present to the emergency department for evaluation of rhythm disturbances. Donate: https://emergencymedicalminute.org/donate/ Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/c9ouHf
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Our near daily podcasts move quickly to reflect current events, are inspired by real patient care, and speak to the true nature of what it's like to work in the Emergency Room or Pre-Hospital Setting. Each medical minute is recorded in a real emergency department, by the emergency physician or clinical pharmacist on duty – the ER is our studio and everything is live.
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