This patient assessment sign is discussed during this Monday Minutes session. Remember, assessment of the patients skin during your primary EMS assessment can give you clues to the patients circulatory status. See the video version over at youtube http://youtu.be/dgEoeGAeMMU
Podcast: Download

Last nights live Office Hours talked about arming EMS. The full episode will be posted here Wednesday, but I wanted to just give a few extra minutes on scene safety and situational awareness. What do you do to maintain your safety on scenes?
On last nights live EMS Office Hours podcast, we talked about perception in EMS, the media and why we can’t seem to master our destiny in the public eye like Fire or Police. One thing that was mentioned is using social media like Facebook or Twitter to make small individual changes in this perception and bringing positive messages through these outlets. Take a listen to these Monday Minutes and see if you can get on board with these ideas.
This weeks Minutes, I am giving a quick overview on the respiratory and ventilation functions along with some things you should think about when assessing a patient complaining of difficulty breathing. This is only about 13 minutes long, but I hope will help give you a refreshing view and motivate you to study and review further. Be sure to post your own tips and assessment ideas below.
This weeks Minutes I just wanted to point out some things to consider with chest trauma. Now using mechanism of injury can be important and raise your suspicion on what you may encounter, but remember that MOI combined with a patients complaints, signs, symptoms and your assessment is a better way to decide treatment and transport of your patients. Take a listen and post your chest injury tips below.
Compelled to make New Years resolutions, we often set goals that can be too big or too far into the future. I have some ideas for a few EMS related goals you can definitely meet by spring. What are your EMS goals for 2012?
Are you a master at endotracheal intubation? Have a high success rate? Even so, this short 5 minute video can help make it even higher. I found this sample video and although there is a faint watermark displayed, it is a great review even for the best of us. 

Connect With Jim...