Hypocalcemia in Emergency Medicine Follow-up

  • Author: Christopher B Beach, MD, FACEP, FAAEM; Chief Editor: Erik D Schraga, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 11, 2011
 

Further Inpatient Care

  • Care is determined by the probable underlying etiology of hypocalcemia.
  • Many patients require ICU or ward admission for inpatient workup and repeat laboratory testing.
  • If a patient is given intravenous calcium in the ED, admit for further evaluation and observation.
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Further Outpatient Care

  • Although uncommon, outpatient evaluation by an endocrinologist or an internist is appropriate in some cases.
  • Oral repletion should be initiated in the ED, with a clear plan for timely follow-up care.
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Transfer

  • Transfer should be considered when the etiology of hypocalcemia requires a subspecialty that is not available at the initial hospital.
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Deterrence/Prevention

  • Patients with diseases that predispose them to the development of hypocalcemia should have scheduled appointments with an outpatient provider.
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Prognosis

  • Prognosis is dependent on the etiology of hypocalcemia but is generally good.
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Patient Education

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Christopher B Beach, MD, FACEP, FAAEM  Associate Professor and Vice Chairman of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine

Christopher B Beach, MD, FACEP, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robin R Hemphill, MD, MPH  Associate Professor, Director, Quality and Safety, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Robin R Hemphill, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Jeffrey L Arnold, MD, FACEP  Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

Jeffrey L Arnold, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Erik D Schraga, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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