The healthcare field is challenging because of the variability from day to day but that is also what makes it so enjoyable. If you haven’t intentionally examined your workflow to optimize your performance you probably struggle to meet or even better, stay ahead of expectations. Let me walk you through 3 habits that will setContinue reading “3 Habits to Maximize Productivity as a Medical Professional”
Tag Archives: medicine
Everything You Need to Know: Edoxaban
Warfarin, the traditional anticoagulant, has drawbacks such as narrow therapeutic range and frequent monitoring. Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOAC) address these limitations. DOACs directly inhibit clotting factors, unlike warfarin which indirectly inhibits them. They are preferred due to easier administration, fewer interactions, and superior efficacy. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban are the available DOACs, each with unique attributes and considerations for administration and interactions.
Statistics: How to Calculate Sensitivity
To perform a diagnostic test we take body samples and measure the presence and quantity of a specific substance. We then compare that value to standardized ranges to help rule in or rule out the presence of pathology. One way we do this is by calculating sensitivity. A diagnostic test is accurate when: This doesContinue reading “Statistics: How to Calculate Sensitivity”
Acute Coronary Syndrome: What You Need to Know
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an umbrella term used to describe any condition that causes a sudden decrease in blood supply to heart muscles. The heart supplies oxygen and nutrients to all tissues in the body including itself. The heart is wrapped in tiny blood vessels called coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygenContinue reading “Acute Coronary Syndrome: What You Need to Know”
Acute Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Overview of Pathophysiology
The main function of the heart is to pump oxygenated blood from the heart, throughout the body, and return oxygen depleted blood to the lungs. This cycle takes only 13 seconds and is interrupted in acute heart failure. The contraction of heart muscles, the resistance of blood vessels and valves all maintain the pressure andContinue reading “Acute Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Overview of Pathophysiology”
Renal Injury: What You Need to Know
Normal Renal Function The kidneys has many roles including filtration of blood to remove waste. Within the kidneys waste is filtered at the glomerulus. Waste exists the kidneys via the tubules as urine. Filtered blood is returned to the body. Categories of Renal Injury There are three broad categories of renal injury based on whereContinue reading “Renal Injury: What You Need to Know”
Anion Gap & Neutrality: Filling in the Knowledge Gap
The anion gap is a calculation that measures the balance of select negative and positive charges (anion and cations respectively) in plasma. Anion gap is critical for the assessment of acid -base disorders which is an umbrella diagnosis that has many causes including renal failure, toxicities, sepsis and diabetic ketoacidosis. Though the name suggests thereContinue reading “Anion Gap & Neutrality: Filling in the Knowledge Gap”
How to Calculate Osmolarity in 4 Easy Steps
Osmolarity is a measure of concentration. Concentration, regardless of the different units that can be used, is the ratio of mass and quantity. When concentration is expressed as osmolarity, mass is the number of osmoles and quantity is volume in liters. When is Osmolarity Useful Osmolarity permeates many aspects of medicine: Homeostasis The concept ofContinue reading “How to Calculate Osmolarity in 4 Easy Steps”
Alligation Calculations Made Easy using Intuitive Equations
Alligation is a mathematical technique used to determine the quantity of 2 concentrations needed to create a desired concentration. The desired concentration will have a value somewhere in the range of the 2 starting concentrations. There are 2 ways to perform alligation calculations: This unit focuses on the use of intuitive equations. Take a lookContinue reading “Alligation Calculations Made Easy using Intuitive Equations”
How to Perform Alligation Calculations: Grid Method
When faced with complex dosing problems, understanding alligation calculations can be crucial for determining the right proportions of solutions in pharmaceutical preparations. Clinical scenario: The neonatologist orders D12% for a 2 day old neonate. What would you do? Chat GPT or Google? On a 2 day old? Even the most trusted clinical calculators have theContinue reading “How to Perform Alligation Calculations: Grid Method”