PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast

This podcast explores the importance of minimizing chest X-Rays in children with respiratory issues like bronchiolitis and asthma. Experts discuss the risks and drawbacks of overusing chest X-Rays, highlighting the Choosing Wisely Campaign's guidelines. The episode emphasizes the significance of clinical assessment over routine imaging, and considers individualized approaches for reducing unnecessary tests.

Explore the intriguing world of Henoch–Schönlein Purpura, a common vasculitis affecting children. Discover the classic symptoms, including palpable purpura and abdominal pain. Learn about the challenges in diagnosis and the importance of supportive treatments. Delve into the nuances of managing this condition, including potential complications like nephritis. This concise discussion sheds light on vital monitoring practices for young patients.

It is summertime, so the bees and bugs are out! In this episode, Dr. Ben Grebber, a pediatric resident at Boston Children’s Hospital/Tufts Children’s Hospital, discusses Bee Stings and Spider Bites. A very common pediatric summer complaint in emergency departments, urgent cares, and primary care offices, this episode covers common signs and symptoms, some pathophysiology, […]

We are in the midst of a staggering mental health crisis. Thousands of children and adolescents spend days at time in Emergency Departments waiting for definitive mental health disposition. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis Ren (@DennisRenMD) is all about what we should consider when boarding children in the […]

There are protocols in place that assist highly trained Emergency Medical Service providers in assuring that agitated children are safely transported to their destination. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis Ren (@DennisRenMD) is all about what pre-hospital providers should do to get these agitated children safely to the ED. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]