EM Pulse Podcast™

In the second episode of our Medicine on the Go series, we step beyond the ED to explore how UC Davis Health and Sacramento County are partnering to deliver care directly to the community through the Wellness Without Walls (W3) street medicine program. We’re joined by Dr. MK Orsulak, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at UC Davis. We discuss how a mobile clinic staffed by interdisciplinary teams brings primary care, wound care, mental health services, HIV/STI testing, vaccinations, and substance use treatment to people experiencing homelessness—meeting patients where they are and reducing preventable ED visits. This episode offers a powerful look at how innovative, cross-system collaboration can extend emergency care beyond hospital walls and improve access to the right care at the right time. Do you have a program similar to W3 in your area? We’d love to hear about it! Share with us on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com Hosts: Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Guest: Dr. MK Orsulak, Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at UC Davis Resources: Sacramento County Department of Health Services: Wellness Without Walls (W3) Street medicine team improves lives of unhoused patients, by Edwin Garcia, Feb 27 2024 *** Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

In this episode of EM Pulse, guest host Dr. Neelou Tabatabai joins Julia in a discussion with ED nurse and TeamSTEPPS advocate, Leigh Clary, to explore how structured communication tools can transform even the most high-stress medical and trauma resuscitations. Through a real-life story of conflict and resolution in the emergency department, Leigh illustrates how TeamSTEPPS strategies—like assertive communication, the Two-Challenge Rule, and CUS words—empower teams to speak up, de-escalate tension, and protect patient safety. Together, they unpack how calm, composed dialogue preserves respect, strengthens teamwork, and ensures every voice is heard when it matters most. Do you use TeamSTEPPS or a similar model in your ED? We’d love to hear what has been successful for your team. Hit us up on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com Hosts: Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Guest Host: Dr. Neelou Tabatabai, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Guest: Leigh Clary, RN, BSN, RN, CEN, ADCES, MICN , ED Nurse and TeamSTEPPS Project Lead at UC Davis Resources: TeamSTEPPS Player of the Month Program, Presentation by Leigh Clary and Jose Metica TeamSTEPPS™: Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety Heidi B. King, MS, CHE, James Battles, PhD, David P. Baker, PhD, Alexander Alonso, PhD, Eduardo Salas, PhD, John Webster, MD, MBA, Lauren Toomey, RN, BSBA, MIS, and Mary Salisbury, RN, MSN. TeamSTEPPS Pocket Guide – Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality EM Pulse: TeamSTEPPS, September 17, 2021 **** Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

What happens when a febrile infant presents at 61 days old? Are they suddenly low risk for invasive bacterial infections? In this episode, we explore the gray zone of managing febrile infants aged 61–90 days with the help of two new clinical prediction rules from PECARN. Joining us are two powerhouses in pediatric emergency medicine: Dr. Nate Kuppermann and Dr. Paul Aronson, who walk us through their recent study published in Pediatrics. We discuss why prior research has traditionally stopped at 60 days, what the new data shows about risk in this slightly older age group, and how these rules might help guide clinical decision-making. This study fills a long-standing gap—but should we start using the rules now? Tune in for a nuanced discussion on sensitivity, missed cases, practical application, and the future of risk stratification in young infants with fever. What is your practice in terms of work-up of 2-3 month old febrile infants? Will this change what you do? Hit us up social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com Hosts: Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Guests: Dr. Nate Kuppermann, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer; Director, Children’s National Research Institute; Department Chair, Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Dr. Paul Aronson, Professor of Pediatrics (Emergency Medicine); Deputy Director, Pediatric Residency Program at Yale University School of Medicine Resources: “Hot” Off the Press: Infant Fever Rule Do I really need to LP a febrile infant with a UTI? Aronson PL, Mahajan P, Meeks HD, Nielsen B, Olsen CS, Casper TC, Grundmeier RW, Kuppermann N; PECARN Registry Working Group. Prediction Rule to Identify Febrile Infants 61-90 Days at Low Risk for Invasive Bacterial Infections. Pediatrics. 2025 Sep 1;156(3):e2025071666. doi: 10.1542/peds.2025-071666. PMID: 40854562; PMCID: PMC12432541. Kuppermann N, Dayan PS, Levine DA, Vitale M, Tzimenatos L, Tunik MG, Saunders M, Ruddy RM, Roosevelt G, Rogers AJ, Powell EC, Nigrovic LE, Muenzer J, Linakis JG, Grisanti K, Jaffe DM, Hoyle JD Jr, Greenberg R, Gattu R, Cruz AT, Crain EF, Cohen DM, Brayer A, Borgialli D, Bonsu B, Browne L, Blumberg S, Bennett JE, Atabaki SM, Anders J, Alpern ER, Miller B, Casper TC, Dean JM, Ramilo O, Mahajan P; Febrile Infant Working Group of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN). A Clinical Prediction Rule to Identify Febrile Infants 60 Days and Younger at Low Risk for Serious Bacterial Infections. JAMA Pediatr. 2019 Apr 1;173(4):342-351. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.5501. PMID: 30776077; PMCID: PMC6450281. Pantell RH, Roberts KB, Adams WG, Dreyer BP, Kuppermann N, O’Leary ST, Okechukwu K, Woods CR Jr; SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEBRILE INFANTS. Evaluation and Management of Well-Appearing Febrile Infants 8 to 60 Days Old. Pediatrics. 2021 Aug;148(2):e2021052228. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-052228. Epub 2021 Jul 19. Erratum in: Pediatrics. 2021 Nov;148(5):e2021054063. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-054063. PMID: 34281996. **** Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

Summer hikes and backyard play mean we’re bound to see a few snakebites in the ED—and getting the first steps right makes all the difference. In the first half of this 2 part series, Medical Toxicologist Dr. Jonathan Ford joins us to walk through the key steps in caring for patients with snake envenomations. We’ll walk through what to do (and not to do) in terms of pre-hospital care, how to triage and assess patients when they arrive in the ED, and how to decide which patients need antivenom. Dr. Ford reviews dosing strategies, monitoring, and key considerations for children, elderly, and pregnant patients. And we discuss practical guidance on supportive care, from pain control to wound management. By the end of this episode, you’ll be ready to provide effective, evidence-based care for your next snakebite patient. Have you had a patient with a serious or challenging envenomation? How did you manage it? Share your story with us social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com Hosts: Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Guest: Dr. Jonathan Ford, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicologist at UC Davis Resources: Seifert SA, Armitage JO, Sanchez EE. Snake Envenomation. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jan 6;386(1):68-78. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra2105228. PMID: 34986287; PMCID: PMC9854269. **** Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

In this high-yield two part episode, we dive into the evolving world of resuscitation with Dr. David Leon, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesia at UC Davis. From the shift in priorities from ABC (Airway-Breathing-Circulation) to CAB (Circulation first) to the practical use of peripheral vasopressors and rapid infusion catheters, this episode breaks down how frontline ED care is adapting to sicker patients, longer ICU boarding times, and limited resources. Tune in for insights on advanced access strategies, pre-hospital blood products, and why old tools, like whole blood and vasopressin, are making a powerful comeback. What do you think of Dr. Leon’s tips? Are you using these tools in your practice? We’d love to hear from you. Share them with us on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com Hosts: Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Guest: Dr. David Leon, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesia at UC Davis Resources: American Heart Association (AHA) Algorithms Perman SM, Elmer J, Maciel CB, Uzendu A, May T, Mumma BE, Bartos JA, Rodriguez AJ, Kurz MC, Panchal AR, Rittenberger JC; American Heart Association. 2023 American Heart Association Focused Update on Adult Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation. 2024 Jan 30;149(5):e254-e273. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001194. Epub 2023 Dec 18. PMID: 38108133. **** Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. John Rose as cohost for a conversation with Dr. Gary Tamkin—Emergency Physician and Vice President of Provider Development at US Acute Care Solutions. Together, they explore what it really takes to find happiness and fulfillment in the high-stakes world of emergency medicine. From the trap of the arrival fallacy to the pressure of always chasing the next milestone, Dr. Tamkin shares personal insights and practical strategies tailored to the unique challenges EM clinicians face. You’ll come away with two actionable tools to help build more meaning, balance, and joy—both on shift and off. What are your tips for avoiding burnout and finding balance? Share them with us on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com Hosts: Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Guest Host: Dr. John Rose, Professor of Emergency Medicine and EMS Medical Director at UC Davis Guest: Dr. Gary Tamkin, Emergency Physician and Vice President of Provider Development and US Acute Care Solutions Resources: Podcast: 10% Happier with Dan Harris Podcast: Hidden Brain with Shankar Vedantam Transitions by William Bridges, PhD with Susan Bridges The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor **** Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

Summer travel is in full swing and, for physicians, that means more than just packing swimsuits and sunscreen. In this episode of EM Pulse, we sit down with wilderness medicine expert, Dr. Mary Bing, to unpack the real-world essentials of travel medical kits. From duct tape and whistles to epinephrine and steroids, you’ll learn what to bring, how to tailor your supplies based on destination and group, and why your role as a physician—formal or not—comes with extra responsibilities. Whether you’re headed to the Alps or the backyard, this episode is your go-to guide for staying medically prepared on the move. Don’t just travel light—travel smart. What’s in your first aid kit? Hit us op on on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com Hosts: Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Guests: Dr. Mary Bing, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Assistant EM Residency Program Director at UC Davis Resources: Surviving a Wilderness Emergency by Peter Kummerfeldt ACEP: First Aid Kit U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Traveling with medication *** Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.

In this episode of EM Pulse, Dr. Daniel Hernandez, an emergency medicine and addiction specialist at UC Davis, joins the team to spotlight methadone—one of the original and still powerful tools for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). While newer medications like buprenorphine often steal the spotlight, methadone remains a critical option, especially in the era of fentanyl. Tune in for a practical conversation on when and how to initiate methadone in the ED, navigating regulatory barriers, arranging follow-up at opioid treatment programs, and managing pain in patients already on methadone. Whether you’re new to methadone or looking to sharpen your approach, this episode offers real-world insights and actionable pearls Have you started methadone from the ED? Share your experience with us on social media @empulsepodcast or connect with us on ucdavisem.com Hosts: Dr. Julia Magaña, Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Dr. Sarah Medeiros, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis Guests: Dr. Daniel Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Assistant Director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at UC Davis Resources: CA Bridge ACEP/CA Bridge – Methadone Hospital Quick Start Liberate Methadone: An Introduction for the Emergency Medicine Physician By Terence M. Hughes, MD; Joan Chen, MD; and Utsha G. Khatri, MD, MSHP | on April 14, 2025 *** Thank you to the UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine for supporting this podcast and to Orlando Magaña at OM Productions for audio production services.