Urgent Bite 290 – Epistaxis blood loss estimation
An epistaxis can be severe enough that a patient becomes anaemic and develops shock. How good are estimations, by patients and clinicians, of blood loss during an epistaxis?
Urgent Bite 289 – DDH pick up in Urgent Care
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips (DDH) in newborns is screened for by midwives, Plunket nurses, and GPs. While not a routine part of UC practice, spotting signs and referring appropriately is something we should be aware of in urgent care.
Urgent Bite 288 – The Jahss Manoeuvre
The Jahss Manoeuvre is a technique used for reducing metacarpal neck fractures with unacceptable molar angulation.
Ode to Urgent Care – Christmas Eve 2025
This is a re-upload of the poem released last Christmas Eve. The message still stands, so it warrents another listen this year.
Thank you to all the staff working in urgent care clinics over the holidays.
Urgent Bite 287 – Andrographis Paniculata as a cause of angioedema
In this month’s prescriber update there are a couple of interesting pieces on causes of anaphylaxis and angioedema, including a supplement that many may use after indulging at Christmas.
Urgent Bite 286 – Sliding Doors
The movie, Sliding Doors, shows how a simple act like missing getting on a train can result in two different storylines unfurling.
Considering sliding door moments in your practice is a good way to reflect on practice and allows for recognising ways to improve practice.
Urgent Bite 285 – Adventitious Bursae
Adventitious bursae arrive throughout life and are not present at birth.
Urgent Bite 284 – Coryza and Catarrh
When considering the broad topic of the upper respiratory tract infection, catarrh and coryza is mentioned. What are they and why do old and outdated medical terms still persist.
Urgent Bite 283 – Referral Communication
When making acute referrals to hospital, there are times when the communication is not as straightforward as you would want. There are many reasons for this but interpersonal and inter professional relationships are at the core of effective communication.
Urgent Bite 282 – Head injuries in the elderly
Dame Jilly Cooper died of an acute subdural haematoma, following a fall.
Pathways for CT head in adults exist to guide us in determining who needs a CT, but we must not forget the importance of safety netting all elderly people after head injury and to consider measures to prevent patients sustaining head injuries in the first place.