Forget Band-Aids:  Spiders Might Be Your Next First Aid Kit

Spider webs aren't just for catching flies anymore - they might be your next medical breakthrough. Scientists have discovered that spider web ointment significantly speeds up wound healing in laboratory tests, outperforming traditional treatments like povidone iodine. This age-old remedy, commonly used in Indian traditional medicine, has finally gotten its moment under the microscope, showing impressive results with just a 2.5% concentration.

The science behind this eight-legged medicine is fascinating: spider web ointment helps wounds heal faster by boosting collagen production and promoting new blood vessel growth. When researchers looked at the healing process up close, they found that wounds treated with spider web ointment had less scarring and inflammation, while new skin grew back more quickly. It turns out our eight-legged friends might have been spinning medical miracles this whole time.

Welcome to the 105th edition of ResusNation!

90% of Blood Draws Go to Waste

As an ICU physician, I've witnessed firsthand how the seemingly simple act of daily blood draws can significantly impact patient outcomes. What many don't realize is that 90% of collected blood gets discarded in the lab, unnecessarily contributing to hospital-acquired anemia in our most critically ill patients. This practice often leads to preventable blood transfusions, each carrying its own set of risks and complications.

So it's really cool to read about a groundbreaking study that was conducted across 25 Canadian ICUs involving over 21,000 patients. It validated what many of us have long suspected: smaller blood collection tubes are just as effective as standard ones. The study demonstrated a 10% reduction in blood transfusions simply by switching to tubes that collect 50% less blood, with virtually no impact on sample validity (only 0.03% error rate). In an era of frequent blood supply shortages, this evidence-based solution could prevent thousands of unnecessary transfusions annually while maintaining the quality of care we provide.

Watch the full video here and leave a comment.

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Get A Ton Of Amazing Education For Just $1

Let's face it...everything is getting expensive. Interest rates are high, the price of eggs are insane...wouldn't it be great to catch a break during these tough economic times?

I got you covered this week with a deal that really does sound too good to be true. Right now you can join the All-Access ResusNation Membership for just one dollar! You read that right, for the first month of membership you'll pay one $1 to get access to incredible education. 

With the All-Access Pass you'll receive 5 new lectures, filled with tons of content to help you take better care of your critically ill and crashing patients. You'll also watch live grand rounds lectures each month and watch on replay. You'll also have access to our exclusive RX community where you can post cases, ask questions, and network with faculty and other like-minded individuals. We'll be adding CME and CEU credits within the next two months so you'll learn while you earn credits. Finally, you'll join our exclusive monthly hangout sessions where we talk about anything that YOU want to talk about. The All-Access Pass is only for individuals who are serious about medical education!

Sign up today and you'll only pay $1 for the first 30 days. After 30 days, you'll automatically be billed $4.99 for your membership. There are no yearly fees, no contracts, and no obligations. You can easily cancel at any time, no questions asked. 

 GET ALL-ACCESS FOR $1

Is Antibiotic Prophylaxis Effective in Polytrauma Patients?

Polytrauma patients face significant mortality risks, particularly from infections like ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) during ICU stays. While antibiotic prophylaxis has been considered a potential solution to prevent these complications, its effectiveness remains controversial, especially given rising concerns about antibiotic resistance. 

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis compared to placebo or standard care in adult polytrauma patients. The researchers analyzed three randomized controlled trials with 256 participants published between 1976 and 2002. The results showed antibiotic prophylaxis had no significant effect on mortality (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.55-1.85), duration of mechanical ventilation, or ICU length of stay compared to placebo or standard care. However, selective decontamination was associated with a significantly reduced risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.13-0.72).

The evidence is limited by the outdated nature of the included studies, high risk of bias, and very low certainty of evidence. These findings suggest that while routine antibiotic prophylaxis may not improve overall survival in polytrauma patients, it could potentially benefit specific high-risk populations by reducing VAP risk. High-quality, contemporary studies are urgently needed to guide clinical decision-making in the context of rising antibiotic resistance.

Here's my Takeaways:

• Antibiotic prophylaxis shows no significant impact on mortality in polytrauma patients (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.55-1.85)

• Routine antibiotic prophylaxis should be reconsidered, but selective decontamination may reduce VAP risk by 70% in specific cases

• The previous evidence is outdated (studies from 1976-2002) with very low certainty and high risk of bias, requiring urgent contemporary research

Want to learn more? Read the full study “Effectiveness of Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Polytrauma Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2025

Save the Date: ResusX25

Mark your calendars! We're thrilled to announce that ResusX 2025, the premier resuscitation conference of the year, is returning for its seventh spectacular year. Join us September 29 - October 1, 2025, as we take over Philadelphia's iconic Punchline Comedy Club for our most ambitious event yet.

The overwhelming interest we've received through emails and messages has shown just how exited the ResusNation is for this announcement. We're pulling out all the stops to bring you an unforgettable experience featuring the leading voices in resuscitation medicine - live and in person. Don't miss your chance to be part of this landmark event in the City of Brotherly Love. Stay tuned for more details about our world-class speakers, innovative sessions, and more.      

We're finalizing an action-packed schedule, including specialized post-conference workshops. Full CME and CEU details will be available on our website shortly.

Given the intimate venue and unprecedented interest in ResusX 2025, we anticipate tickets will sell out rapidly. As a valued newsletter subscriber, we want to ensure you have priority access to registration. So here's how to secure your spot:

If you're committed to attending ResusX 2025, simply complete our priority access form below. You'll receive immediate notification when ticket sales open, giving you first opportunity to register. Based on the overwhelming response we've already received, we expect tickets to be claimed quickly during this priority registration period.

Complete the Priority Access Form 

Watch the February Videos Now!

Only For All-Access Members

If you're an All-Access Member, you're in for some great content this month. We have FIVE videos hand-picked by our staff that are high-yield and our most highly watched. We're featuring

• Haywood on "Ventilation in Obesity"
• Hedayati on "Right Bundle - When to Be Afraid"
• McCloskey on "The Sleepwalking Resuscitationist"
• VandenBerg covering "Chest Pain and..."
• Marcolini on "What's Their Status (Epilepticus) Now?"

Each month we bring you fresh new content from the best of the best in resuscitation. If you're an All-Access member, go watch these videos NOW! If you're not, then sign up here.

Are you a member of ResusNation? For less than a cup of coffee, you can get even more content from CriticalCareNow. Digital teaching sessions, podcasts, free video lectures, grand rounds, and so much more can be your today. Come watch on replay all the content that CriticalCareNow does live. Check out the membership options below and decide the right one for you.

Do you want even more resus content anytime you want? For less than a cup of coffee, you can get even more content from @CriticalCareNow. Digital teaching sessions, free video lectures, grand rounds, and so much more can be your today. Come watch on replay all the content that @CriticalCareNow does live. 

Check out the membership options below and decide the right one for you.

 Get Access To The ResusNation Today!