Citations

Abstract Skin and soft tissues infections (SSTIs) are common conditions, affecting millions worldwide. SSTIs range from uncomplicated cellulitis to necrotizing fasciitis and can be divided into non-purulent and purulent forms. Non-purulent SSTI is most commonly associated with beta-haemolytic streptococci, while purulent SSTI is typically associated with Staphylococcus aureus . Cellulitis most commonly presents with acute warmth, pain, tenderness to palpation, erythema, and oedema. Skin abscess typically presents with a fluctuant tender area with erythema. Laboratory testing is of limited use in most patients. Point-of-care ultrasound is useful for distinguishing cellulitis from abscess if the diagnosis is unclear. Management of SSTI includes antibiotics such as penicillin VK, dicloxacillin, or a cephalosporin, while treatment for skin abscess includes incision and drainage, with antibiotics recommended in select patients. Patients should elevate the affected extremity when possible, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce pain and inflammation. The effectiveness of decolonization for patients with recurrent cellulitis or skin abscess is controversial. While most patients with cellulitis or skin abscess are appropriate for discharge with follow-up, patients with sepsis and those with challenges adhering to therapy, immunosuppression, or failed outpatient therapy should be referred to the emergency department. Novel antibiotics such as tedizolid, delafloxacin, omadacycline, and ceftaroline may be considered in select cases.

ABSTRACT Research is important to advance the field of emergency medicine and improve patient care. As such, emergency medicine residents are required to complete a scholarly project during their training. This experience provides an opportunity to enhance their exposure to research, expanding their skillset as both producers and consumers of the medical literature. However, the process may be overwhelming to launch, especially for residents. This Educator's Blueprint will provide 10 strategies for navigating and optimizing the resident research experience. These strategies include providing structured training, creating a research‐supportive environment, selecting a project using resident‐centric FINER criteria, identifying a research mentor, creating mosaic research experiences, setting expectations, empowering residents, selecting team members for sustainability, providing scaffolding and support during the writing stage, and explaining the peer review process and normalizing rejection or revisions. These strategies will help guide faculty seeking to enhance their learners' research experience.

Abstract Heart failure is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Acute decompensated heart failure refers to the worsening of symptoms that requires changes in drugs or the start of new treatments such as non-invasive positive pressure ventilation. This review summarizes the current data and provides an evidence based approach to the diagnosis and management of acute decompensated heart failure. The review discusses common nomenclature and classifications of the condition, followed by the diagnostic accuracy of medical history, physical examination, electrocardiography, radiographs of the chest, point-of-care ultrasound, and laboratory testing. Current and emerging medical treatments are also discussed.