Horses and Zebras: Separating Rare from Common Conditions in EMS

A ‘zebra’ is a surprising and rare diagnosis that is much less likely than the actual cause of a patient’s symptoms. Often in EMS we read about rare, life-threatening disorders and try to fit our patients to these syndromes. However, the vast majority of patients don’t have these conditions and we have to acknowledge that they more likely have an ordinary diagnosis. EMS is a balance between knowing the common diagnoses while still being wary of the dangers beneath. Join us for a collaborative session working through case studies and the medicine behind the diagnosis. Remember, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.