RESEARCH

The Emergency Medicine Department at New York Methodist Hospital takes pride in both our strong commitment to research and the recognition that we have received from our peers. Over the years, several residents and attendings have presented abstracts at the New York City ACEP Research Symposium, and many were honored with various awards, such as "Best Resident Presentation" and "Best Attending Presentation". In 2005, we were honored that TJ Milling, a third year resident, was named the Resident Research Fellow for ACEP's publication, The Annals of Emergency Medicine. Only one resident is appointed to this position each year, and in this role, Dr. Milling joined the other members of the editorial board in reviewing and accepting articles for the peer-reviewed journal.

All residents are required to produce a research project of publishable quality during their residency. To this end, residents are given two weeks of blocked time to design and perform research during each year, and monthly research conferences are held to discuss the progress of resident projects. Additionally, our department employs a doctoral-level statistician to aid in research design and data analysis with availability to the residents at any time. Lastly, residents who have their projects accepted at national meetings are rewarded with full funding of conference travel expenses, regardless of their year in residency.

In recent history there have been at least three studies on-going at any one time in the Department, and faculty are eager to help residents in the development of original work. Currently our most significant literature is being produced regarding ultrasound and its usefulness in various clinical settings. Several studies that have been completed or which are in their final stages involve the use of ultrasound in central line placement, confirmation of tracheal intubation, evaluation of ankle injury, and bladder catheterization in children. We also have several studies focusing on laboratory markers for abdominal pain, sepsis, congestive heart failure, and bronchiolitis at the moment. An abridged list of papers may be reviewed at end of this section.

Whether you decide to pursue research after your residency is up to you - the department does not pressure residents to choose an academic career path. However, you can be certain that as a result of your research experience at Methodist, you will be proficient in the kind of critical analysis that will assist you in your future clinical decision-making, and you will have ample opportunity to take your curiosity as far as it wants to go.

ABRIDGED LISTING OF ARCHIVED DEPARTMENT PAPERS

2004

• Birkhahn, et al. Emergency medicine trained physicians are proficient in the insertion of transvenous pacemakers. Ann Emerg Med.
• Birkhahn, Gaeta, et al. The shock index in early acute hypovolemia. Accepted: Am J Emerg Med.
• Milling, et al. Prospective observational study of point of care limited ultrasonography of the urinary bladder in pediatric patients prior to catheterization; Validation of the urinary bladder index. Accepted: Ann Emerg Med.
• Milling, et al. Randomized controlled clinical trial of point of care, limited ultrasonograpy assistance of central venous cannulation. The third sonography outcomes assessment program (SOAP-3) trial. Accepted: Crit Care Med.

2003

• Birkhahn, Gaeta. The ability of traditional vital signs and shock index to identify ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gyn.
• Silber, et al. Early administration of antibiotics does not shorten time to clinical stability in patients with moderate to severe community acquired pneumonia. Chest.
• Van Deusen, Birkhahn, Gaeta. Treatment of Hyperkalemia in a patient with unrecognized digoxin toxicity. J Clin Tox.

2002

• Birkhahn, Gaeta. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: acute onset of dyspnea in a young woman. Am J Emerg Med.
• Garrett, Gaeta. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: acute onset of dyspnea in a young woman. Am J Emerg Med.

2001

• Birkhahn et al. Serum levels of myoglobin, creatine phosphokinase, and smooth muscle heavy-chain myosin in patients with ectopic pregnancy. Ann Emerg Med.
• Silber, et al. Dedicated asthma center improves quality of care and resource utilization for pediatric asthma: a multicenter study. Acad Emerg Med.
• Silber, et al. Medical disaster preparedness in NYC: the millennium experience. Prehospital Disaster Med.
• McRae, Tsang, Leo, et al. The use of alternative medicine by children at an urban community hospital emergency department. J Altern Complement Med.

2000

• Birkhahn, et al. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis and intravenous propranolol in in the emergency setting. Journ Emerg Med.
• Lanoix, Gaeta, et al. A preliminary evaluation of emergency ultrasonography in the setting of an emergency medicine residency program. Am J Emerg Med.

1999

• Birkhahn, et al. Painless intussusception and altered mental status. Am J Emerg Med.
• Gaeta, et al. Increasing compliance with RRC requirements for follow-up in academic emergency departments. Ann Emerg Med.
• Tsang, et al. An unusual case of Tylenol overdose. Pediatric Emerg Care.
• Gaeta, et al. Partner abuse and HIV-risk behavior among women in an inner-city emergency department. Violence and Victims.