PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Agitation Episode 3: Pharmacologic management May 31, 2023

Show notes

When we think of managing agitated patients we think of medicines – but that shouldn’t be our first option. However, medications can be adjuncts to non-pharmacologic means to help keep agitated children safe from harm. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis Ren (@DennisRenMD) is all about age-appropriate pharmacologic management […]

Agitation Episode 2: Non-pharmacologic management May 24, 2023

Show notes

Agitated children should always be treated with dignity and respect. This entails utilizing the least invasive non-pharmacologic means of assisting them, before moving to physical or chemical restraints. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis Ren (@DennisRenMD) is all about age-appropriate non pharmacologic management strategies for agitated children. It is […]

Agitation Episode 1: Differentiating organic versus psychiatric May 17, 2023

Show notes

Most children who present to Pediatric Emergency Departments these days with mental health concerns – including agitation – have a known psychiatric problem or diagnosis. Furthermore, the connection between physical and functional symptoms is inextricably linked in many patients. Why then do we persist with the “is it medical/organic or psych” question? Ultimately, this episode […]

Gun Violence and Safety (2023) Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Kit Carney and Dr. Kristen Humphrey discuss gun violence, its impact on our patients and their families, as well as practical tips on advocating for safe storage of firearms, and how we can support victims of violence.

Epiglottitis Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

The epiglottis is the toilet seat of the airway. That’s a useful function. But what if becomes so swollen and inflamed that it leads to airway obstruction and respiratory failure. That’s bad. That’s also what epiglottitis is. You can also call it supraglottitis. Either way you need to recognize this potentially life threatening malady and […]

Norovirus Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

Norovirus is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide and is also a major cause of food borne illness. It spreads rapidly and causes vomiting and diarrhea that lead to many ED visits. Hopefully this brief episode will enrich the discussions that you have with patients and their families when making the diagnosis of viral […]

Agitation in Neurodivergent Children Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

“Neurodivergent” is a term used to describe brain functionality and how it differs in some people. These individuals perceive, interpret and interact with the world in ways that are different than what we typically encounter. The Emergency Department is a potentially challenging and stressful place for Neurodivergent children, and this episode discusses strategies to help […]

Commotio Cordis Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

Commotio cordis is caused by the blunt impact of a hard object directly over the heart occurring during a specific window of ventricular repolarization leading to immediate collapse, ventricular fibrillation, and cardiac arrest. This episode focuses on risk factors and management of this rare but catastrophic injury. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on Twitter My Mastodon account @bradsobo […]

Peritonsillar Abscesses Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Peritonsillar Abscesses are the most common deep neck infection in adolescents and young adults. You will see them in grade schoolers as well. Learn about the diagnosis and management, including making the choice between needle aspiration versus wielding a scalpel for incision and drainage. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on Twitter My Mastodon account @bradsobo References Ungkanont K, […]

Tongue Lacerations Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

Tongue lacerations are surprisingly common in the Emergency Department. Fortunately most of them don’t require any specific interventions. You just let them go and they heal on their own. Really. But if you do have to repair I offer advice in this brief episode. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on Twitter My Mastodon account @bradsobo Resource from the […]