Episode Summaries

BlockHeads aims to build a strong community of emergency medicine experts who share best practices and helpful tips for adopting ultrasound-guided regional analgesia in the emergency setting. To that end, we will regularly share summaries from our monthly Zoom meetings to highlight key points.

If you find these topics interesting and would like to get involved, we would love to have you join us at our next meeting!

Fell0wship Projects

BlockHead’s Fellows Share Research Projects

In the latest Blockheads meeting, fellows presented their research projects and received feedback from colleagues. Projects focused on improving patient care and resident education in the ER setting. Here's a quick recap:

  • Acute Sciatica: Lachlan Driver's (Massachusettes General and Brigham Womens and Childrens) team is investigating the effectiveness of transgluteal sciatic nerve blocks for acute sciatica pain. They're seeking input on study design, particularly regarding the control group (sham block vs. standard care).

  • Resident Education: Anthony Rauschenbach (Hennepin County Medical Center) and Christine Collins (St. Joseph’s Health) both presented projects aimed at enhancing resident education in regional anesthesia. Anthony's team developed a comprehensive course curriculum, while Christine's team is evaluating the efficacy of their existing pain management curriculum.

  • Butterfly Enterprise QA Software: Fred Milgrim (Denver Health) discussed a manuscript on implementing Butterfly Enterprise QA software, which has shown promising results in improving ultrasound documentation and billing rates.

  • Rib Fracture Management: Muzeen Ismath's (University of Manitoba) team is exploring the impact of early regional anesthesia (Erector spinae plane block) on respiratory support and other outcomes in patients with isolated rib fractures.

These projects highlight the ongoing efforts to advance ER practices through research and education. Fellows are actively seeking collaboration and input from the broader community. If you have expertise or interest in any of these areas, reach out to the respective fellows to get involved!