Category: Medical Students

Week 6.1 – Sepsis

What is it? Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction secondary to an infection. Early recognition and early management of sepsis is critical. Sepsis kills more than breast or prostate cancer here in Australia. Have a look at this great summary video from JAMA on defining sepsis and septic...

Week 5.1 – Non Invasive Ventilation

CPAP and BIPAP can be daunting to commence if you’re not familiar with your emergency department equipment. This week we get started with our NIV machine – the Oxylog 3000. Having a dedicated BIPAP machine is somewhat of a pipe dream for our ED, but on the bright side...

Week 4.1 – Chest Pain Emergencies

This week we explore the variety of chest pain emergencies that present to our Emergency Department via ambulance, dinghy, helicopter or even sometimes by bicycle. Taking a targeted chest pain history and performing an efficient examination is a skill that develops over time. This skill is essential, particularly in...

Week 3.1 – Airway

This week we get acquainted with airways. Airway almost always comes before breathing and circulation in the life support algorithm, for good reason. Being able to assess and manage an airway is a core critical skill for an emergency doctor. The first excellent post to read today relates to...

Week 2.1 – Anaphylaxis

This week we covered the important and life saving treatment of anaphylaxis. There are no tricks, the answer is adrenaline. Know your doses, know your adrenaline dilutions and know what to do next. Important readings for this week are below. Anaphylaxis: Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis in children: https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Anaphylaxis/ Pediatric Anaphylaxis Lastly...

Week 1.1 – Vascular Access

Establishing vascular access urgently in the emergency department can be critical and life saving. This week we discuss and practice the variety of ways you may establish access in urgent and non-urgent situations (including peripheral intravenous cannulas, rapid infusion catheters, intraosseous and central venous catheters/PICC lines). Can’t get IV...

Week 1.0 – Welcome to the ED Teaching Program

The Island Docs ED Teaching program occurs twice a week at flexible times to suit our ED resident, medical students and the SMO. Teaching sessions are a two way learning process for our juniors and seniors. As we will not even begin to cover the essentials of emergency medicine in these...