A few non-ED phyisican friends are being re-deployed to take care of patients in ED. They want to help but are understandably apprehensive. They have questions. Here’s my 10 point primer on what we ED docs actually do in midst of the controlled chaos we call home. A thread.

1. Determine disposition. From the time I start evaluating a patient with a glance at their chart, I have disposition in mind. All data points go into figuring this out.

2 Acuity (super sick, sick, not sick) - helps you triage & determine your next move. Trust your gut.

3. Treat symptoms (pain, vomiting, dehydration, etc). This is one of the things we do best. Tylenol goes a long way.

4. Provide reassurance. People want to know they aren’t dying; if they are, emotional support to patient and family is critical; also the chaplains are awesome.

5. Anticipatory guidance. Make sure people know when to come back. No one reads discharge instructions so tell them in person.

6. Multitasking is a myth. You can only do 1 thing at a time. If you try to do 2-4 things at once, your brain will shut down and you will do 0 things.

7. Run your list obsessively. I do this every 15-30 minutes, & every 1-2 hrs with my team depending on status of the ED.

8. You will get interrupted. A lot. Quickly filter importance (is someone dying?). Also if your nurse tells you they are worried about a patient, listen. Go.

9. Ask for help. Your nurses are your best friends. See #8. Your tech’s & unit clerks are also super important

10. The medicine is the same. You know the medicine. Acuity & time pressures are different. Your brain will feel scrambled. But remember - you know the medicine.