CanadiEM

HiQuiPs: Handover Issues in the Emergency Department

CanadiEM.org — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:03:41 +0000

Introduction Transitions in care are a crucial part of safe medical care. Effective handovers transfer not just information, but clinical responsibility and situational awareness.(1) The emergency department (ED) presents unique challenges for handover due to its fast-paced environment, high frequency of transitions, time pressures, and the complexity of undifferentiated and often unstable patients.(2) Common barriers to effective handover include: the absence of standardized handover protocols, which leads to inconsistent communication and documentation; and variability in ...

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HIQUIPS – Quality Metrics in Anesthesia Part 2 – Applications of Tracking

CanadiEM.org — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 01:33:21 +0000

In a previous post, we delved deep into the theoretical underpinnings of Quality Improvement (QI) and its criticality in anesthesiology. We explored how this discipline intertwines with patient care, emphasizing its role in enhancing clinical practices for optimal patient well-being. As we transition from theoretical constructs to practical implementations, we venture into the realm of local hospitals, specifically their anesthesia departments. This is where theory meets practice, where abstract quality metrics translate into tangible ...

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HIQUIPS: Quality Metrics in Anesthesia Part 1 – The Basics

CanadiEM.org — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Introduction to Quality Improvement and Applicability to Patient Care in Anesthesia Continued medical advancement involves refining clinical practices to maximize patient well-being, with Quality Improvement (QI) being a critical method to systematically identify and address care deficits. As integral members of the perioperative care team, anesthesiologists anticipate potential complications and mitigate them through patient optimization. These inherent challenges in anesthetic choice highlight the crucial need for integrating QI into anesthesiology. While historically, perioperative ...

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The Virtual Emergency Physician: Reducing Medico-Legal Risk and Improving Patient Safety – CMPA

CanadiEM.org — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0000

While virtual care has been used in several provinces for decades (1), during the COVID pandemic the use of these models of care increased. Virtual care may be structured in different ways, with differing access points and staffing structures (2). In this article, we focus on the model of the in-person emergency department staffed with nurses with a virtual emergency physician. Some emergency departments have made the difficult decision to close or reduce open hours as ...

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Navigating CAEP: A medical student’s guide to success

CanadiEM.org — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:17:58 +0000

Every year, thousands of emergency medicine enthusiasts from across thecountry gather for the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) annualconference. This five day event is a hub for medical students, residents and physiciansto connect, collaborate and share cutting-edge practices and research. For first-timeattendees or junior learners, the bustling atmosphere and packed agenda might seemoverwhelming. To help you make the most of this incredible experience, CanadiEM hascurated a recap of the highlights, tips, and ...

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See (N)one, Do One, Teach One: Barriers in Teaching Cricothyrotomy

CanadiEM.org — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000

“Can’t Intubate, Can’t Ventilate” – a fearsome phrase for all airway providers that necessitates an equally fright-inducing procedure. Cricothyrotomy is an emergency procedure where an incision is made through the cricothyroid membrane and a tube is inserted for ventilation. Although there are percutaneous techniques, this article will discuss surgical techniques which have been shown to produce more favourable success, complication rates of the procedure, as well as address some common fears associated with ...

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