PA School Tips – Surviving Your Emergency Medicine Rotation
1. Type of ER
Try to find out what kind of emergency room you will be in. It could be in an urban area or rural area, a level 1 trauma center or a level 4 trauma center. That can give you an idea of what to expect in terms of the types of cases they take or perhaps how busy the ER will be.
Oftentimes the more rural the ER, the more you are able to do as they are less likely to be larger teaching hospitals with numerous other students. Try to look into your site and see any helpful information you can find.
2. Surviving
Pack snacks! Try to have these be energy-filled and easy to quickly eat. Depending on how busy the ER is, eating may only occur quickly in between patients. Having some sort of caffeinated beverage on hand is also helpful.
Have your medical apps downloaded ready to go. UpToDate in particular. Some ER specific apps include Quick EM (for reference) and Rapid Fire EM Student (for ER related question banks).
Keep a notepad and pen on you. For notes, things you learn, and also to keep track of your patients as most students have to log their patients for their program.
3. Fast track vs. higher acuity
Many ERs have a “fast-track” which sees lower acuity patients, which is essentially like an urgent care within the ER. Depending on your site, it is common to have rotating students in the fast track. This is not always the case and many sites do put students with higher acuity patients as well, but it is just something to be aware of.
You may be in varying parts of the ER throughout the duration of your rotation. Ask your preceptor if you want to know more about your role on your rotation and where you will be.
4. Codes
It is possible that there may be some codes while you are on your ER rotation. Code blues are medical emergencies such as a cardiac arrest. These are run by an ER provider with things like ACLS protocols and BLS/CPR. Typically, you will be ACLS and CPR certified prior to your ER rotation (if you are not, I would ask your program about this). If certified and knowledgeable on CPR, it is definitely possible for students to participate in codes.
I would just ask your preceptor at the beginning of the rotation if they are okay with you going over to a code once one is called, and if they are okay with you participating in CPR. If yes, then once the time comes, take initiative! Get over to where the location of the code is quickly, and when they are in need of someone to switch for CPR, speak up and volunteer.
This takes some initiative and can seem a little scary at first, but is a good experience to garner in your ER rotation. The ER is a very unique environment often with a different schedule and lifestyle. Just immerse yourself in the learning experience and make the most of it!
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