Medical Training Blog | Provider Practice Essentials

Needle Decompression: Size Matters

January 11, 2019December 6, 2018 by PPE Medical

What Size Needle Should You Use?

At a recent course this past weekend, we were asked which size needle should you use while performing a needle decompression procedure. The automatic response was large bore needle…typically 14-gauge angiocatheter. But that is only half the answer! What about catheter length? The standard 14-g angiocath is 5cm long and its catheter is only 4.5cm long. This was causing concern about a high failure rate. With the primary source of procedure failure being a failure of the needle to reach the pleural space, the standard angiocath would only reach the pleural space in 53% of the population.

Joint Injection Guide

January 29, 2021November 26, 2018 by PPE Medical

Here are some easy guides to help you perform injections.

Splinting Guide

September 26, 2025November 26, 2018 by PPE Medical

A Comprehensive Guide to Extremity Splinting Rob Beatty, MD FACEP Splinting an extremity is a fundamental skill in orthopedics, emergency medicine, and athletic training, designed to immobilize an injured limb and provide comfort and support. The materials used have evolved significantly, offering a range of options for providers. Products and brands vary, from generic …

“I’m not putting my license on the line”

September 28, 2025November 12, 2018 by Rachel Beatty, APRN, FNP-C, ACGN-BC

How many times have you heard this mentioned in casual conversation amongst healthcare providers?Perhaps during a heated exchange on television, or when talking about doing things we aren’t comfortable doing to our patients. Perhaps you have even mentioned it yourself.

The fact is, it takes a lot – A LOT – to lose a medical license or license to practice. Yes, bumps along the road in our career can happen, but realistically speaking, what licensing board would have a vested interest in removing providers from an already strained healthcare system?

Age Adjusted D-Dimer

December 3, 2018November 5, 2018 by John Rothwell, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC

Current Healthcare Education

One of the challenges of deciding what content to provide your online community is the amount and frequency of new information that is being published. As healthcare providers, the task is daunting just to keep up with what is going on in your specialty, even more so if you are reviewing your profession in general. One of the benefits of Provider Practice Essentials workshops for attendees is the personalized attention provided by faculty. This not only includes hands on workshops but plenty of Q & A opportunities. In one of my recent discussions with Course Director, Rachel Beatty she shared some of the numerous questions asked by attendees. One of the most pressing questions surrounded the topic of “age adjusted d-dimer”.

Minor Pediatric Head Injuries

May 18, 2022October 17, 2018 by Lucas Marlatt, APRN, FNP-BC

Head Injury Actions

You will or have seen a multitude of pediatric head injuries come into your practice setting with sometimes frantic parents/caretakers with great concern over their loved one’s wellbeing. The first determination to make, which may be done quickly, is taking immediate action or rather reassure and prevent unnecessary intervention/radiation exposure. In situations such as this, there are available evidence-based clinical tools/algorithms to help assist your plan of care.