How Not to Kill Your Patient

This episode of HNTKYP Kevin and Dr. Lisa Wolf take a deep dive into the high-stakes world of shock management. Why does it matter you ask? If you miss the early signs of septic shock, and 30% of those patients won’t make it home. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of shock – hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, and obstructive – detailing their causes, signs, and appropriate treatments.

This episode of HNTKYP delves into the crucial distinction between merely knowing nursing protocols and truly understanding them. Kevin and Dr. Wolf discuss the importance of nurses not merely performing tasks or following protocols blindly but grasping the underlying pathophysiology and the reasoning behind the actions they take and the medications they give. This episode highlights the importance of critical thinking and the application of knowledge in nursing to prevent errors, enhance patient care, and, fundamentally, avoid causing harm. Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Art-of-Emergency-Nursing-276898616569046/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTnz4phtCTjojTIDJo2afA?view_as=subscriber Twitter: @AoenPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofemergencynursing/ To support the show: Thank you for being a part of our AOEN community!

This episode of HNTKYP takes a no-holds-barred look at burnout among emergency nurses, and it's not for the faint of heart. We're getting real about the brutal reality of the emergency department, where the relentless pressure cooks even the toughest among us. We talk about how burnout not only affects the nurse, but the team and most importantly the patient. It's a deep dive into the dark side of nursing, where stress isn't just a part of the job—it's the job. But it's not all doom and gloom; we're also tackling how to fight back, recognize the warning signs, and protect both our patients and our sanity. Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Art-of-Emergency-Nursing-276898616569046/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTnz4phtCTjojTIDJo2afA?view_as=subscriber Twitter: @AoenPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofemergencynursing/ To support the show: Thank you for being a part of our AOEN community!

Understanding how to prioritize patient care is essential, particularly for new ER nurses. This HNTKYP episode offers a systematic approach to assessing and managing a typical patient assignment ranging from four to six individuals. We delve into the critical nature of effective report-giving and receiving, the significance of delegation and teamwork, and the risks associated with the forgotten patient behind door number two. Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Art-of-Emergency-Nursing-276898616569046/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTnz4phtCTjojTIDJo2afA?view_as=subscriber Twitter: @AoenPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofemergencynursing/ To support the show: Thank you for being a part of our AOEN community!

In this episode, Kevin makes it back from the brink of death from the deadly "man flu." Just kidding, but he really was sick, and it inspired this week's topic on the respiratory season. We cover some of the most prevalent viral respiratory diseases and how to prevent them. We discuss red flags that may signify that your patient is in trouble. Our conversation delves into the collective responsibility we hold during what is no longer just a flu season but a battlefield against a plethora of respiratory viruses, including RSV and COVID-19. Get ready for this critical and timely update.

In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Wolf explore the scary task of triaging a pediatric patient. We will discuss the differences in completing a pediatric triage. We will talk about common emergencies by age and the fine art of a pediatric assessment. Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Art-of-Emergency-Nursing-276898616569046/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTnz4phtCTjojTIDJo2afA?view_as=subscriber Twitter: @AoenPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofemergencynursing/ To support the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews greatly contribute to the success of the podcast, and I appreciate each and every one of them. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform to never miss an episode. Thank you for being a part of our AOEN community!

In this "intoxicating" episode of HNTKYP, Kevin McFarlane and Dr. Lisa Wolf explore the challenges of triaging intoxicated patients in the emergency department. They emphasize that managing intoxicated patients is far more complex than often perceived. The discussion includes intoxication as either a primary issue or a secondary complication, the pitfalls of anchoring bias, and the poor correlation between blood alcohol level (BAL) and the behaviors exhibited by the patient. Grab a beer, sit back, and enjoy this episode—unless you're driving, of course. This episode pairs well with these other great episodes HNTKYP-Behavioral-Health HNTKYP Altered-Mental-Status Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Art-of-Emergency-Nursing-276898616569046/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTnz4phtCTjojTIDJo2afA?view_as=subscriber Twitter: @AoenPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofemergencynursing/ To support the show: Thank you for being a part of our AOEN community!

In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Wolf explore the effects of heat on both the body and mind. They discuss common heat emergencies, identify populations at heightened risk for heat-related issues, and discuss how certain medications can impact the body's capacity to cope with elevated temperatures. Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Art-of-Emergency-Nursing-276898616569046/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTnz4phtCTjojTIDJo2afA?view_as=subscriber Twitter: @AoenPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofemergencynursing/ To support the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews greatly contribute to the success of the podcast, and I appreciate each and every one of them. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform to never miss an episode. Thank you for being a part of our AOEN community!

In this episode, join Kevin and Dr. Lisa Wolf as they delve into the updates of the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage algorithm fifth edition. As the first contributor to this latest iteration, Dr. Wolf brings invaluable expertise, and provides profound insights into the changes incorporated in version 5. We will discuss practical guidance on how to implement this updated version into your own triage practice, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients. Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Art-of-Emergency-Nursing-276898616569046/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTnz4phtCTjojTIDJo2afA?view_as=subscriber Twitter: @AoenPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofemergencynursing/ To support the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews greatly contribute to the success of the podcast, and I appreciate each and every one of them. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform to never miss an episode. Thank you for being a part of our AOEN community!

Good documentation allows for a retrospective understanding of a patient's condition when they arrived and how it has progressed. Vital signs are particularly critical as they reveal trends and can help detect potential issues. But here's the real challenge, finding that sweet spot between meeting the demands of documentation and actually delivering hands-on care. We'll break down the struggle and explore how emergency nurses can balance both worlds. Join Kevin and Dr. Wolf as they dig deep into the importance of accurate documentation in capturing a patient's journey and keeping the entire healthcare team in the loop. Plus, we'll touch on the legal side of things and how thorough charting can save your bacon if any legal issues arise.

In this episode, Lisa and Kevin have a special guest, Annie Fulton, from Up My Nursing Game. Join us as we dive into the topic of delirium, a commonly overlooked and misdiagnosed condition in emergency departments with serious implications for patients. In this episode, we'll explore delirium identification, effective treatment options, and discuss how the emergency department can set the stage for success throughout a patient's hospital visit. This episode is part of the 2023 Nurses’ PodCrawl, a collaboration between different podcast hosts who come together for a week to release episodes around one unifying theme. The goal is to provide varying perspectives on a single theme. Check out these other delirium episodes from amazing podcasts: https://www.upmynursinggame.com/podcrawl/

In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Wolf delve into the crucial topic of assessing and addressing changes in mental status. Mental status changes can be alarming and could be a result of various underlying medical conditions, which require prompt evaluation and management. During the episode, we will provide a comprehensive review of the most common causes of changes in the level of consciousness (LOC). By identifying the root cause, emergency nurses can better diagnose and manage patients effectively. To aid in memory retention, Kevin and Dr. Wolf share two helpful mnemonics that will assist in remembering the most critical causes of mental status changes.

This episode is a little different, In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Wolf have a conversation about a viral video showing a healthcare worker striking a patient who spits on him. This video had a lot of mixed reactions from healthcare workers online. Give it a listen and see how we think this is just a symptom of bigger problems. Links to a couple of articles mentioned in the Episode: NOTHING CHANGES, NOBODY CARES: Authors: Lisa A. Wolf, PhD, RN, CEN, FAEN, Altair M. Delao, MPH, and Cydne Perhats, MPH, hthttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0099176713005618 Here is a link to some of the amazing articles by Dr. Gordon Gillespie Check them out. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C22&q=gordon+gillespie+workplace+violence&oq=gordon+gillespie

How Not to Kill your Patient. Just how vital are vital signs? In this episode, Lisa and Kevin talk about how vital signed effect your triage designation.

Kevin and Dr. Wolf discuss communication with providers and communicating a great hand-off. This information just might save your patient's life. Enjoy. If you are interested in the report sheet click here

In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Wolf provide a little feedback to a question that was posted online by a new grad nurse. If you have clinical questions you would like to have discussed send a message to Kevin on social media or by email kevin@artofemergencynursing.com.

We think of the obstetric patient as a special population, one that we want to get the heck out of our EDs ASAP. However, lots of Obstetric units have closed, and in the current climate after Dobbs, patients will have a hard time getting good care, whether they want to be pregnant or not. Guess where all those patients are going to go? Exactly. Your ED. Have a listen on recognizing and managing OB and postpartum emergencies. Links mentioned in the episode: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMp2207423 https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/emtala-v-state-abortion-laws-navigating-6251610/ https://www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Texas-Complaint.pdf

In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Wolf talk about assessing and addressing pain in the emergency department. This is the episode that will help new and even experienced emergency nurses to see the pain assessment in a whole new light.

Geriatric patients make up a large portion of the people who come to the ER. In this episode Kevin and Dr. Wolf talk about what to look for in geriatric patients and how not to kill grandma when she shows up in triage.

In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Wolf talk about triaging respiratory patients. This is the episode everyone needs to hear during the pandemic.