JG: Do you remember what it felt like to suddenly have that new resource or technology?
CC: Sure—I remember CAT scans. We had no way of taking care of people with intracerebral bleeds. We didn’t know whether they had an intracerebral bleed or stroke or a tumor. In regard to patients with abdominal pain, we had no definitive way to diagnose a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. I remember most of the time, if it was the right scenario and you could feel a pulsatile mass, it was probably an aneurysm. But we had no way of proving that. And then they went to the operating room, and we hoped we were right. Now, you can do a CAT scan or an ultrasound in a few seconds and make a diagnosis.
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ACEP Now: Vol 39 – No 03 – March 2020Ultrasound has been even more influential in the emergency department. I’m only sad that I wasn’t very facile at using the ultrasound. I envy some of the younger emergency physicians coming out of residency who are very good with ultrasound because that made a big difference. You can make a lot more diagnoses right at the bedside. That’s even a bigger change, although certainly CAT scans and MRIs, especially in the field of trauma, that was a big change to the good.
One of the most important things is ability to manage airways. We didn’t know how to manage an airway back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but that gradually got better. We went away to those courses and learned how to do intubation with the correct and proper way of induction. And then the other thing that has been very important is the procedural sedation that we do in the emergency department. We’re really very competent now, and what a change. Before, we had to call anesthesia down, and if they were tied up, they weren’t available, or if it was the middle of the night, especially in a rural hospital, there was nobody there.
And, of course, the use of computerized records, too. I’m a big fan of computerized records. I know a lot of people don’t like them. They do slow you down, but the EMR is very helpful. It’s given us so much information that we didn’t have before. I remember we used to have to go through pages and pages of old charts to figure out something, where it’s so much easier now.
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6 Responses to “Emergency Physician Dr. Cataldo Corrado Jr. Reflects on 53-Year Career”
March 30, 2020
Mary GarrityI worked with “Doc” for 18 years in the Uniontown Hospital ED. Learned so much from him and am so proud to have worked with such a compassionate, brilliant doctor.
March 30, 2020
Scott LaClairWas a medic under Doc Corrado from the early 80s to the late 90s. Words fail to express what an asset he was to EMS and the community. He was a mentor that you were blessed to have! The guy is truly a Superman in the eyes of the EMS community in Southwestern Pennsylvania. In almost 20 years I never witnessed him rattled regardless of how injured or how many injured we delivered to his ER. The manner in which he assisted EMS people and his own staff was always in a kind manner, I never heard a raised voice. I loved putting in volunteer hours in the ER when he was on duty. Doc is just a tremendous man with an integrity second to none.
During his time at Uniontown Hospital he passed on many prestigious, high paying positions to remain in Uniontown. He is a legend in the community of emergency service and without question it was the greatest of my life’s opportunities to serve under him! Thank You Doc for all the years.
Scott LaClair
March 31, 2020
Roger MitchellI am certainly proud to have benefitted from your excellent teaching! Doc, you are the reason that emergency medical services are able to provide today. Thank you!!!
March 31, 2020
KarenDr. corrado saved my life at 6 yrs old!! I fell sick for a couple weeks, saw a couple other Dr.s in the ER! Was diagnosed with tonsillitis! I got so bad I was not able to swallow my own spit! My mom took me too Uniontown’s ER, where I was meant by Dr. Corrado!! He ran a new test for mono, and it was positive! My spleen was so enlarged I had to stay home from school for weeks! I was days away from it bursting! Years later he became my family Dr.! Thank you for the amazing care! Much love, & prayers sent to you! God bless!
March 31, 2020
Debra MasonI worked with Dr. Corrado for 10 years at Uniontown Hospital. He was the best ER Doctor. I was impressed with all of his knowledge and kindness he showed everyone.
March 31, 2020
SANDY SEXTONI worked with Dr. Corrado for over 23 years. First, he was my son’s dr. My son had problems and was under ole doc’s care, when young doc took over his practice. Everything I have learned over the years, doc is one of the kindess caring human beings around. He loved his paients and would go up on the floors to check on them after he had admitted them, 2 0r 3 days earlier. I have seen doc go to peoples home to make sure they were ok. Thank you doc for all your kindness, your worring, your love for your staff. We all love you. Please take care of yourself and Carol thru this awful thing we are all going thru. Please know you were loved and when we get together, your name is always brought up in a positive mannor. God bless you.