Resident survival guide checklist

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby, M.D. [2] Vendhan Ramanujam M.B.B.S [3]

Checklist

• Each page contains the following titles:
  • Definition
  • Causes
  • Management
  • Do's
  • Dont's
  • References

Definition

• The definition is preferably one sentence, short and straight to the point.
• If more than one definition should be provided:
  • The tile of the section is changed into definitions
  • The definitions are presented in a form of table. Click here for an example.
  • If the topic contains diagnostic criteria as part of its definition, the diagnostic criteria are provided in the definition section.

Causes

• The causes section contains two subheadings:
  • Life Threatening Causes
  • Common Causes
• Under life threatening causes, the following definition of life threatening is provided: Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
  • If the disease itself is life threatening, the following sentence is written: Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated. "Name of the disease" is by itself life threatening and should be treated as such irrespective of the causes.
• Under common causes, only the common causes are provided, without including rare etiologies.
• The causes are listed in alphabetical order.
• The causes are all hyperlinked.

Management

• The management section contains the algorithm(s).
• The number of algorithm depends on each topic.
  • If the management is very big and the algorithm is complicated, the algorithm is divided into more than one.
• If more than one algorithm is provided, a subtitle is given for each. The suggested subtitles are:
  • Diagnostic approach
  • Therapeutic approach
  • Initial management
  • Additional management
  • Prevention
• If additional information, such as details about scores, details about grading, images or any necessary information have to be provided, do not include it in the management section. Instead create a new heading for it after management.
• When more than one algorithms are provided, separate them with <br>.

Description of each algorithm

• Before starting the algorithm, the following sentence is written and the main reference(s) of the algorithm are cited:
  

Shown below is an algorithm depicting [...] based on [...].(references)

• The algorithm should contain the following:
  • Characterize the symptoms:
  • Obtain a detailed history
  • Examine the patient:
  • Order labs and test:

• Action verbs are used before medications or treatment, for example: "Administer aspirin" instead of aspirin
• Check-boxes ❑ are placed in front of every action.
• Urgent or Immediately are added when an action should be taken as soon as possible.

• Abbreviations should be avoided, example: hour and not hr, minute and not min.
  • If abbreviations are used, provide a list of abbreviated terms below the algorithm as follows:

<span style="font-size:85%">'''BUN''': Blood urea nitrogen; '''CAD''': Coronary artery disease; '''CBC''': Complete blood count; '''EKG''': Electrocardiogram; '''Hb''': Hemoglobin; '''ICU''': Intensive care unit; '''INR''': International normalized ratio; '''IV''': Intravenous; '''GI''': Gastrointestinal; '''NPO''': Nil per os; '''NSAIDs''': Non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs</span>

And it will appear this way:
BUN: Blood urea nitrogen; CAD: Coronary artery disease; CBC: Complete blood count; EKG: Electrocardiogram; Hb: Hemoglobin; ICU: Intensive care unit; INR: International normalized ratio; IV: Intravenous; GI: Gastrointestinal; NPO: Nil per os; NSAIDs: Non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs

To see an example, click here.

• When the algorithm contains a big management plan already developed on another resident survival page, the management should not be replicated but rather redirected.

For example:
You write: Click <no wiki>here</nowiki> for the management of pulmonary embolism. It shows as: Click here for the management of pulmonary embolism.

Do's

• Extra information and details about the management are provided in this section.
• Each sentence is written as an order, for example:
  • Order an EKG. (correct)
  • An EKG should be ordered. (incorrect)

Dont's

• Extra information and details about what should be avoided in the management are provided in this section.
• Each sentence is written as an order, for example:
  • Do not administer beta blockers. (correct)
  • Beta blockers should not be administered. (incorrect)

General Notes

• Expand buttons should be avoided as much as possible.
• Hyperlinks through [[ ]] are used to link key words to their pages.
• The page is reviewed for typographical errors and capitalization.