Episodes

Dive into the second half of our envenomation series! Dr. Jonathan Ford, a UC Davis Medical Toxicologist and Professor of Emergency Medicine, returns to the podcast to tackle scorpions and spiders. We’re going beyond the basics to discuss the “why” and “how” of these bites and stings. Learn about the neurotoxic effects of bark scorpion venom and the life-threatening airway risks. Explore the mechanism behind black widow bites that leads to intense pain and spasms, and the crucial role of antiven...

Summer hikes and backyard play mean we’re bound to see a few snakebites in the ED—and getting the first steps right makes all the difference. In the first half of this 2 part series, Medical Toxicologist Dr. Jonathan Ford joins us to walk through the key steps in caring for patients with snake envenomations. We’ll walk through what to do (and not to do) in terms of pre-hospital care, how to triage and assess patients when they arrive in the ED, and how to decide which patients need antivenom. Dr...

In the second half of this two part episode, Dr. David Leon unpacks some of the most hotly debated topics in resuscitation—fluids, blood products, ECMO, and post-arrest care. He breaks down the pros and cons of crystalloids (yes, even the “pasta water” debate), explains why lactated Ringer’s is often preferred over normal saline, and dips into the use of albumin and colloids. Dr. Leon also discusses the promise and challenges of extracorporeal life support (ECLS), the evolving role of targeted t...

In this high-yield two part episode, we dive into the evolving world of resuscitation with Dr. David Leon, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesia at UC Davis. From the shift in priorities from ABC (Airway-Breathing-Circulation) to CAB (Circulation first) to the practical use of peripheral vasopressors and rapid infusion catheters, this episode breaks down how frontline ED care is adapting to sicker patients, longer ICU boarding times, and limited resources. Tune in for insights...

We’re back with another episode of Push Dose Pearls with ED Clinical Pharacist, Haley Burhans! In this episode, we break down the essentials of managing agitation in the ED—starting with why you should avoid diphenhydramine in the elderly and benzodiazepines in the 3 D’s: drunk, delirium, and dementia. We discuss how to quickly assess the cause, choose the right medication, and decide between IM and IV routes. And Haley offers some key safety tips and considerations for special populations, incl...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. John Rose as cohost for a conversation with Dr. Gary Tamkin—Emergency Physician and Vice President of Provider Development at US Acute Care Solutions. Together, they explore what it really takes to find happiness and fulfillment in the high-stakes world of emergency medicine. From the trap of the arrival fallacy to the pressure of always chasing the next milestone, Dr. Tamkin shares personal insights and practical strategies tailored to the unique challenges ...

Hypoglycemia can be subtle—or dangerously obvious—and knowing when and how to treat it is critical. In her first episode as our new Push Dose Pearls expert, Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist, Haley Burhans, joins us to break it down. We discuss glucose thresholds by age, when to draw critical labs, and how to choose the right treatment—whether it’s oral glucose, IV dextrose, or IM or intranasal glucagon. From neonates to older adults, Haley delivers practical, evidence-based pearls to help ...

Summer travel is in full swing and, for physicians, that means more than just packing swimsuits and sunscreen. In this episode of EM Pulse, we sit down with wilderness medicine expert, Dr. Mary Bing, to unpack the real-world essentials of travel medical kits. From duct tape and whistles to epinephrine and steroids, you’ll learn what to bring, how to tailor your supplies based on destination and group, and why your role as a physician—formal or not—comes with extra responsibilities. Whether you’r...

In this follow-up to our artificial intelligence in EM series, we’re diving into how AI can enhance your professional life outside of clinical shifts. Joined by Dr. Jaymin Patel—Assistant Residency Program Director and tech-savvy educator—we explore three practical AI tools that can streamline teaching, content creation, communication, and even how you consume literature on your commute. From ChatGPT to DALL·E to NotebookLM, we break down what each tool does, how to use it effectively, what pitf...

In this episode of EM Pulse, Dr. Daniel Hernandez, an emergency medicine and addiction specialist at UC Davis, joins the team to spotlight methadone—one of the original and still powerful tools for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). While newer medications like buprenorphine often steal the spotlight, methadone remains a critical option, especially in the era of fentanyl. Tune in for a practical conversation on when and how to initiate methadone in the ED, navigating regulatory barriers, arrang...

This is the next episode of our Push Dose Pearls miniseries with ED Clinical Pharmacist, Chris Adams. In this ongoing series we’ll dig into some of the questions we all have about medications we commonly see and use in the ED. In this epsidoe, we unpack the complexities of anticoagulation reversal in the emergency department – It’s not just about vitamin K anymore! Tune in as we explore the key reversal agents, when and why to use them, how fast they work, and the risks that come with turning of...

Big news for emergency medicine residencies! The ACGME is proposing several major changes to EM program requirements. To comply with these new requirements, programs would need to be 4 years long. This is a hotly debated topic at the moment as most EM residencies in the U.S. currently are 3 year programs. So what are the proposed changes? How would they affect the curriculum and training for future EM physicians? To answer these questions, we sit down with UC Davis EM Program Director and medica...

In the fourth and final episode of our advocacy mini series with guest host, Dr. Anna Yap, we dive into a powerful story of advocacy led by a mother-daughter duo. Pediatric nurse practitioner Robyn Lao and her 9-year-old daughter, Addie, who has severe food allergies, turned their personal challenges into a statewide movement by co-authoring California Senate Bill 68—the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act. Together, they share their journey from navigating daily food allergy s...

In the third episode of our advocacy mini series with Dr. Anna Yap, we explore the evolving challenges faced by transgender patients and medical professionals in today’s political climate. We’re joined by Charlie Adams, a fourth-year medical student and dedicated advocate, who shares his powerful journey fighting for transgender rights and health equity. Together, we discuss the importance of gender-affirming care, the real-world impact of restrictive laws, and how we can improve emergency depar...

In the second episode of our advocacy mini series with Dr. Anna Yap, we dive into the critical intersection of emergency medicine and immigration health. As emergency physicians, we frequently care for undocumented patients, asylum seekers, and refugees—individuals who face significant barriers to medical care, including fear, cost concerns, and language obstacles. Dr. Ellen Shank, a UC Davis health policy fellow and expert in migrant healthcare, joins us to explore the legal and ethical respons...

When corporate interests threaten patient care, who speaks up for doctors and their patients? This episode kicks off a special EM Pulse mini-series with guest host, Dr. Anna Yap, in which we explore the power of advocacy in medicine. In our first episode, Dr. Michelle Wiener shares how she and her colleagues took on a private equity-backed staffing group, formed a union, and fought for safer working conditions—proving that real change starts from within. Whether you’re new to advocacy or already...

In this final installment of our three-part series on artificial intelligence in emergency medicine, we explore the rapid expansion of AI and its implications for clinical practice. In previous episodes, we explored how AI is revolutionizing tasks like diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient monitoring. In this final chapter, guest expert, Dr. Brian Patterson, joins us to discuss how to safely integrate AI into clinical practice. We recap insights from previous episodes, including AI’s transf...

In the second episode our three part series, we dive deeper into the practical impact of artificial intelligence on emergency medicine with expert, Dr. Gabriel Wardi. Building on our previous discussion about AI’s role in healthcare, we explore clinical decision support systems (CDS)—how they aim to improve diagnostic accuracy but can sometimes miss the mark. Dr. Wardi shares insights from his own experience implementing AI-driven CDS, highlighting both its successes and challenges, including bi...

In this episode, we dive into how AI is changing emergency medicine with Dr. Peter Steel, an expert in AI and EM at Cornell. We break down the basics of AI, machine learning, and deep learning, explore real-world applications like improving triage and clinical decision-making, and tackle challenges like bias and integration in high-pressure settings. Dr. Steel shares insights on generative AI, large language models, and the exciting future of AI in EM. If you’re curious about how AI can transfor...

In this episode, we dive into the rising threat of cyberattacks on healthcare systems and their profound impact on emergency medicine. With 386 attacks reported in 2024 alone (as of October 7th), the likelihood of your hospital being targeted is increasing. But why are these attacks happening, and what can we do to mitigate their effects? To explore this critical topic, we’re joined by Dr. In Kim, Executive Vice Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and a leader ...

In this episode, we address the growing concern over political violence in the United States as the presidential election draws near. Political violence, defined as the intentional use of power and force to achieve political ends, is a significant public health issue. Violence researcher and emergency physician, Dr. Garen Wintemute, joins us to provide a clear, evidence-based perspective on the topic. We explore recent data and expert insights to better understand the threat of political violenc...

As emergency physicians, we are very familiar with giving naloxone to patients with concern for opioid overdose. Our EMS colleagues give naloxone all the time in the prehospital setting. We know it works well for patients who are obtained due to opioids, but what about for patients who have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest? Our expert on todays episode, Dr. David Dillon, set out to find out. Were you surprised by the findings in Dr. Dillon’s study? Does it change your practice? Hit us up on soc...

Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common medication concerns we see in the ED. It is important to know when to be concerned and when to treat as true overdoses can cause liver failure and death. UC Davis medical toxicologist, Dr. Hoan Nguyen, joins us in this episode to discuss a new consensus statement published in JAMA Network Open in August 2023: Managing of Acetaminophen Poisoning in the US and Canada. We discuss the updated approach and walk through as hypothetical case. At the end ...

This is the next episode of our Push Dose Pearls miniseries with ED Clinical Pharmacist, Chris Adams. In this ongoing series we’ll dig into some of the questions we all have about medications we commonly see and use in the ED. This episode focuses on naloxone. Naloxone is a staple in every ED docs toolbox but it can save more lives if it’s immediately available in the community. We’ll discuss ED based naloxone programs, why they are important, how to get funding, and which patients could benefit...