On The Streets #15: Hydrofluoric Acid Case Review

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Contributors:</strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Kalen Abbott, MD - EM Physician and Medical Director for AirLife Denver</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Brendan Reiss - Flight Nurse AirLife Denver</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Matt Spoon - Flight Paramedic AirLife Denver</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Jordan Ourada - EMS Coordinator at Swedish Medical Center and Paramedic</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Summary:</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In this episode, hosted by Jordan Ourada, Brendan Reiss and Matt Spoon present a first-hand experience case of hydrofluoric acid exposure in a pediatric patient. Commentary and educational pearls are provided by EM Physician, Kalen Abbott.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>The case: </strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The patient was a male infant who had spilled a large amount of heavy-duty acid aluminum wheel cleaner on himself while playing in his parent's garage. Unclear if he had ingested any fluid. The cleaning fluid contained a large percentage of hydrofluoric acid.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">He was brought by EMS to his local hospital, who quickly decided to transport the infant by helicopter to a large Denver hospital.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Initial labs were unremarkable and the EKG was normal. Heart rate was in the 140s. Blood pressure was 110/73. Respirations were around 30 and non-labored. Chest and abdominal x-rays were unremarkable.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The patient had received a water-based decontamination and 1 gram of calcium gluconate IV.</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Complications:</strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Immediately befo