MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ISSUE | NOVEMBER 2022

In order to have a successful outcome in a medical emergency situation, prompt recognition and preparedness are key. Be aware of what emergencies are most likely to happen in your practice, how to treat them, how to manage the situation and be mindful that emergencies can happen one after the other.

• Emergency Drugs for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Office

  Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2022 Joel Rosenfeld et al

An emergency happens suddenly and sometimes without warning but knowing the health history of your patient is your first defense in overcoming a medical crisis. Combine this knowledge with the assurance that you are prepared for an emergency, whether it’s brought on by a patient’s poor health, severe anxiety, or a random occurrence by knowing what emergencies are most likely to happen in your practice. Knowing this, you can prepare yourself and your team by always being equipped not only with the right medications and equipment but with the knowledge of how to use them. The risk of a medical emergency transpiring in your office will always be present, this powerful combination of knowledge and preparedness is how you will be able to rewrite the outcome of the emergency and potentially save a life. 

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• Anaphylaxis: Recognition and Management 

  Am Fam Physician 2020 Matthew C Pflipsen et al

According to this next article, the incidence of anaphylaxis in the United States is 2.1 per 1,000 person-years, and most of these reactions occur outside of the hospital setting. While medications, insect stings, and food are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis there is a significant number of triggers that are unknown. The most important thing to do during this emergency situation is to remove the trigger and administer intramuscular epinephrine as soon as possible. While the patient may experience immediate relief, it’s important not to let your guard down and assume all is well. A biphasic reaction is a very real and important risk to consider even if the patient appears to be well for an extended period of time. The following article will discuss biphasic reactions and how to manage them.

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