Frequently Asked Questions

How is trauma run here?

Trauma resuscitations are performed through coordination and cooperation with the surgical trauma team.  There is a senior EM resident in the trauma bay 24 hours a day every day except during Thursday conferences.  This resident is responsible for the airway on all trauma patients with back-up from the EM attending.  Resucitations are run by the EM or trauma attending or senior resident present.

Is there an ultrasound experience in the ED?

All residents receive 16 hours of didactic training, 2 ultrasound labs, and a written examination during orientation of their EM1 year.  They then have a dedicated 3 week ultrasound rotation later in the year during which they receive direct supervision from the rotation director and attempt to obtain an adequate number of ultrasounds to be certified.  Also during this rotation they rotate through the planned parenthood clinic to gain dedicated endovaginal ultrasonography experience.

Is there a research requirement?

All residents are expected to complete a "presentable" research project prior to graduation. Each resident chooses a faculty member to guide them through the process. Residents are encouraged to submit their research for publication and/or national meetings.

Is there protected conference time?

Yes, conferences are held on Thursdays from 7:45 a.m. until 1 p.m. In addition to journal club, morbidity and mortality conference, radiology conference, and special sessions on toxicology and research, specialty modules covering topics such as orthopaedics, pediatrics, advanced airway management and EKG/cardiac problems.

What type of EMS experience is offerred?

All residents participate in a 2 week EMS rotation that entails ambulance ride-alongs, participation in the education of pre-hospital personnel, learning EMS administration and the process of EMS protocol development.

How much pediatric exposure do resident's get?

All residents rotate through the Pediatric Emergency Department for 6 weeks in the EM1 and EM2 years as well as 4 weeks in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit during their EM2 year. They participate in an average of 8 weeks of Pediatric Emergency Medicine during their EM3 year but the shifts are mixed in with Adult Emergency Department shifts thoughout each block instead of dedicated PEM rotations.