Pulmonology Cases From THE PITT

6 cases 4 episodes · S01E01 – S02E13

All emergency department cases involving Pulmonology from The Pitt, documented with medically accurate clinical timelines, diagnostic workups, and expert clinical pearls.

Patient presenting in acute respiratory distress, utilizing a handheld nebulizer mouthpiece while demonstrating visible accessory muscle use and wheezing.

S02E13 Complex

16 · Male

Grady Barnhill

Severe wheezing, shortness of breath, unresponsive to home albuterol.

Patient has a lifelong history of asthma. Lost Medicaid coverage two months ago due to a missed redetermination letter, resulting in inability to afford maintenance inhalers (Symbicort, montelukast). Has only been using albuterol. Presented to the ED in severe respiratory distress after using home nebulizer every hour without relief.

PulmonologyCritical Care +2 more

Patient arriving via private vehicle in severe respiratory distress.

S02E12 Complex

55 · Male

Oliver Haas

Severe respiratory distress and hypoxia

Oliver Haas is a patient with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday hemodialysis schedule. He missed his Friday session due to attending a wedding. His son attempted to take him to the local clinic on Saturday morning, but it was closed for the 4th of July holiday. With their local rural hospital (Pine Ridge) permanently closed, his 20-year-old son Mason drove him 1.5 hours to The Pitt. Patient arrived in extremis, exhibiting severe respiratory distress and altered mental status upon arrival.

NephrologyDialysis +4 more

Patient presenting with massive facial trauma and epistaxis after an e-scooter collision.

S01E02 Brief

23 · Male

Ben Kemper

Facial trauma, neck contusion, and hemoptysis following a high-mechanism e-scooter crash.

23-year-old male arrives via EMS after getting 'doored' while riding an e-scooter without a helmet. Mechanism of injury involves his neck striking the handlebar, followed by a face-plant onto the pavement. He complains of blood pooling in the back of his throat.

TraumaAirway Management +2 more

Facial trauma presenting with avulsion of maxillary central incisor (Tooth #8).

S01E01 Brief

30s · Male

Charlie

Facial trauma and missing tooth following a bar altercation.

Patient presents to the ED following a bar fight. He sustained blunt facial trauma resulting in the complete avulsion of tooth number eight. Patient was initially evaluated, deemed stable, and prepped for discharge before the unaccounted missing tooth was noted during morning rounds.

TraumaDental +2 more

Elderly male patient presenting with confusion and fever.

S01E01 Moderate

79 · Male

Joseph Spencer

Fever and cough

79-year-old male from an assisted living facility presenting to the ED with a fever and cough. He has a history of mild Alzheimer's disease. On arrival, he is tachycardic, hypotensive, and experiencing altered mental status (asking if it is dinnertime). A POLST form from his facility indicates he is to receive IV fluids and medications, but no intubation and no chest compressions (DNI/No CPR).

Infectious DiseaseSepsis +4 more

Patient arriving via EMS with LMA in place.

S01E01 Moderate

42 · Male

Sam Wallace

Blunt head trauma with agonal respirations after fall onto subway tracks.

42-year-old male brought in by EMS. Jumped onto the T (subway) tracks to rescue a woman who had fallen. After successfully pulling her off the tracks, he slipped while climbing back up the platform, fell backward, and struck his head. EMS noted agonal respirations. They were unable to intubate in the field and placed an LMA (Laryngeal Mask Airway) prior to transport.

TraumaNeurology +1 more