Latest Grand Rounds from Doc Roddy - Updated Clinical Practices in Sepsis Management

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Latest Grand Rounds from Doc Roddy - Updated Clinical Practices in Sepsis Management

What's up friends, it has been a while slide my last post but check out the recording and accompanying slides from my most recent "Grand Rounds."  I gave this presentation earlier this month here at Broward Health Medical Center (Fort Lauderdale, FL).  In my talk I discuss the new definitions regarding sepsis, the subsequent responses and reactions from the medical community, how this has affected the most recent Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines, reconciling all this with CMS requirements and ultimately applying what we've discussed to a real patient encounter I had a work.  Let me know what you think, comments welcome!

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Paging Doc Roddy on KevinMD Blog!

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Paging Doc Roddy on KevinMD Blog!

Hey guys, i was excited to see that over July 4th weekend one of my posts was picked up and featured on the KevinMD physician blog.  I was happy they wanted to host my thoughts on the unnecessary lengths of medical education and the associated financial costs that come with it.  If you didn't read it the first time on my blog now you can read it here. Take a look, read, share, comment. Thank you!  

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Reflections from My Mother - The Joy of Exercising

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Reflections from My Mother - The Joy of Exercising

If my mother can do it, so can you!  Paging Doc Roddy Blog is by the people for the people, I’m honored that the first submission to my blog not written by myself came from my mother.  She wanted to share her personal fitness story with our blog visitors.  Exercise means a lot to my mother and it still impresses me that even with her busy schedule she’s kept a consistent exercise regimen for many, many years.  Read, be inspired, exercise, and go be healthy and awesome!  Click to read more.

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3 Year Medical School Program? Yes Please!

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3 Year Medical School Program? Yes Please!

I came across an article featured on the NPR health section and it immediately grabbed my attention.  Traditionally medical student education is accomplished in a 4 year program in medical schools nationwide but UC Davis is now offering their medical training as a 3 year obligation.  A three year medical school as opposed to a 4 year program is intriguing, thought provoking and possibly controversial.  Interested yet?  

Click below to read more and to learn why I’m advocating that 3 year medical school programs should be made the standard for medical student education nationwide.  I also post a link to the original NPR article for review.

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Brain > Brawn - Why Mental Health Disorders Emerge in the Early 20s

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Brain > Brawn - Why Mental Health Disorders Emerge in the Early 20s

We live in an image conscious society, people spend numerous hours in the gym, toning muscles, flattening stomachs, and running on the treadmill.  But what about our mental health?  Even with a perfectly fit body, what is the body without a sound mind?

In the article posted on VICE, VICE Social Editor, Hanson O’Haver, discusses the common belief that many mental health issues arise in late adolescence or early adulthood.  He discussed with mental health expert, Dr. Johanna Jarcho, if this is indeed true as well as how much of the development of such conditions are genetic versus environment. 

Furthermore, the article discusses what you should and can do if and when you experience a mental health crisis.  I offer my thoughts on the article as well as share the original article for review.

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"Paging Doc Roddy" Medical Blog Lives!

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"Paging Doc Roddy" Medical Blog Lives!

Today I'm happy to announce that "Paging Doc Roddy" medical blog has officially launched.  After a few weeks in beta we are ready to go live.  Please browse through the site.  Remember "Paging Doc Roddy" medical blog is by the people for the people.  If you have questions, comments, suggestions for the site or would like to collaborate in any way, please reach out to us.  We will do our very best to answer all comments and respond to all inquires quickly. 

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Flakka - Synthetic New drug Hits South Florida!

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Flakka - Synthetic New drug Hits South Florida!

Great NYT article about Flakka, the new next generation bath salt stimulant.

It’s actually quite sad but since the beginning of this year we’ve seen a spike of these patients hit our Emergency Department.

I know from firsthand experience treating these patients that it is true they experience delirium, psychosis, elevated temperatures, muscle breakdown and in some cases renal failure and death.  

Terrible drug, terrible effects on the patients.  

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How President Obama's BuzzFeed video can help decrease stress and live a healthier life.

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#Stress #NotEveryMomentNeedsToBeSerious #IfThePresidentCanDoItSoCanYou #Exercise #CalmThoughts #EatHealthy

Although more research is needed to determine exactly how increased, prolonged states of stress affect one’s health, we do know that stress has been linked to sleep disturbances, depression, as well as mood swings.  Additionally increased levels of stress can affect behaviors that can have deleterious effects on our overall health.  People may choose to smoke more, eat more, or choose prolonged periods of inactivity over being active and exercising to manage their stress.  Due to these behaviors people may subsequently develop heart disease, diabetes, increased cholesterol levels as well as obesity, all of which have proven negative affects to our long term overall health as well as life expectancy. 

Bottom line, as President Obama does in this video, relax, smile, and try not to take yourself and every situation you encounter so seriously.  By controlling your stress and the negative habits it may motivate, you just might be saving your own life.   :)

What should you do?

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What should you do?

A 54 y/o M with pmh of smoking and htn presents to the ED for evaluation of intermittent chest pain that has worsened over the last few days, occasionally occurring at rest.  Currently the patient is asymptomatic and has no complaints.  Please review the patient's EKG (prior email).  A troponin was drawn and is negative, all other labs are wnl.  The patient currently wants to go home.  

Is the patient's EKG suggestive of any particular condition or concern?  What should you do?

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