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Article of the Week

Mama Trauma: The Risk is Low, Resuscitate as Usual

This week’s article provides guidance on managing life-threatening hemorrhage in females of childbearing potential (which includes little girls) when Rh-negative blood products are limited or unavailable. For trauma nurses, the key message is that rapid, effective resuscitation and immediate survival take priority, and that Rh-positive, low-titer, group O whole blood should not be withheld when it is the best available option. 

Although Rh-positive transfusion can raise concerns for future pregnancies, the guidelines describe this risk as manageable and recommend appropriate follow-up, including antibody screening after transfusion. The article also discourages Rh immune globulin after massive transfusion because of the risk of hemolysis and emphasizes coordinated follow-up to support both the patient’s recovery and future reproductive health.

Click the link to view the article or watch a short AI-generated article summary (5 min 2 sec).

Leeper CM, Andrews JC, Spinella PC, et al. Emergent transfusion and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn risk mitigation in females of childbearing potential with life-threatening bleeding: A clinical practice guideline. J Am Coll Surg. 2026;242(5):1406-1416.

Media of the Month

Diagnostic Support in Your Pocket: The ddxof App

ddxof, or "differential diagnosis of,” is a library of over 150 carefully curated diagnostic and management decision support algorithms for common presentations in the emergency department.

It is intended for bedside use to rapidly review key diagnostic considerations, provide referenced guidelines for management options, and serve as a helpful teaching tool for educators.

Download it from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Milk transfusions: Yet Another Historic Cure Nobody Misses

In the late 19th century, milk was believed to be the perfect substitute for blood, and its fatty/oily qualities were thought to transform into white blood cells. However, while a few instances of this procedure were “successful” (non-fatal?), many resulted in death.

In one instance, a milk injection reportedly dropped a patient’s heart rate to the point that resuscitation with "a combination of morphine and whiskey" was required (hmm!). Not surprisingly, the patient died ten days later. 

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