8. Tape

This is one of those items that seems ubiquitous except when most needed. Use for peace of mind on hard secured lines you don’t want to lose, such as easily displaced ECG leads..

9. A Single Quarter

The width of a single quarter easily fits into the groove of most emergency department bathroom door handles to allow for access in a pinch (see: seizing patient in the bathroom, extended or unlawful occupancy). It can also serve as a clinical decision tool in the rare event of choosing between two equally well-thought-out plans.

10. #10 Blade Scalpel

This is important because you never know when you’ll need to perform a surgical airway.^15,16

What are your 10 essentials on shift?

Dr. Park is a faculty physician at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich., where he completed his advanced emergency ultrasound fellowship. His clinical interests include regional nerve blocks and ultrasound-guided vascular access

Dr. Cherukupalli is an emergency medicine resident at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, Mich.

References

1. Park AJ. Things we carry. Ann Emerg Med. 2022;79(5):498-499.
2. Appelboam A, Reuben A, Mann C, et al. Postural modification to the standard Valsalva manoeuvre for emergency treatment of supraventricular tachycardias (REVERT): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2015;386(10005):1747-1753.
3. Issa EC, Ware PJ, Bitange P, et al. The “Syringe Hickey”: an alternative skin marking method for lumbar puncture. J Emerg Med. 2023;64(3):400-404.
4. Gorchynski J, Karabidian E, Sanchez M. The “syringe” technique: a hands-free approach for the reduction of acute nontraumatic temporomandibular dislocations in the emergency department. J Emerg Med. 2014;47(6):676-681.
5. Montrief T, Lin M, Weingart S. Trick of the trade: bubble study for central line placement. Academic Life in Emergency Medicine. Published August 21, 2013. Accessed April 28, 2025.
6. Olshansky M, DeStefano K, Khordipour E. Trick of the trade: ultrarapid adenosine push for SVT with a pressure bag. Academic Life in Emergency Medicine. Published June 24, 2024. Accessed April 28, 2025.
7. Thoreczako. Push Dose Epi. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Playbook. Published January 1 2023. Accessed June 6, 2025.
8. Miyawaki IA, Gomes C, Caporal S Moreira V, et al. The single-syringe versus the double-syringe techniques of adenosine administration for supraventricular tachycardia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2023;23(4):341-353.
9. Rauwerkink D, Balak D. Burrow ink test for scabies. N Engl J Med. 2023;389: e12.
10. Roth KR, Gafni-Pappas G. Unique method of ocular ultrasound using transparent dressings. J Emerg Med. 2011;40(6):658-60.
11. Neiner J, Free R, Caldito G, et al. tongue blade bite test predicts mandible fractures. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2016;9(2):121-124.
12. Makeshift Nasal Clip Using Tongue Depressors for Treating Epistaxis. Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Accessed April 28, 2025.
13. Shokoohi H, Armstrong P, Tansek R. Emergency department ultrasound probe infection control: challenges and solutions. Open Access Emerg Med. 2015;7:1-9.
14. Abdullah BJ, Mohd Yusof MY, Khoo BH. Physical methods of reducing the transmission of nosocomial infections via ultrasound and probe. Clin Radiol. 1998;53(3):212-4.
15. Lindblad A, Ting R, Harris K. Inhaled isopropyl alcohol for nausea and vomiting in the emergency department. Canadian Family Physician. 2018;64:580.
16. Nickson C. Surgical Cricothyroidotomy. Life in the Fast Lane. Published July 2, 2024 Accessed June 6, 2025.
17. Rezaie SR. Bougie-Assisted Cricothyrotomy. REBELEM. Published February 26, 2021. Available at: Accessed June 6, 2025.