How do you handle those gross deformities and angulated fractures?
EMS Continuing Education
Those Tricky Splint Situations | WWJD 4/11/13
April 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment
EMS 12 Leads | Tips On D2BT
January 21, 2013 by 5 Comments
We have the LifePak, the Zoll, the Phillips monitors. All capable of performing 12 lead ECG’s. Identifying and transmitting the potential STEMI tracing to the ED and PCI center can reduce the D2BT or “Door to balloon time”. Yet as providers we don’t always use this valuable tool soon enough. By using it sooner rather than later we can effectively reduce the D2BT and have better outcomes for our patients.
Check out this weeks video for some tips on reducing D2BT and be sure to post your tips and thoughts below as well.
Links mentioned in the video
The free 12 lead pocket card
12 Lead ECG Challenge
Rapid Interpretation of 12 Lead ECGs
Hurry Up And Get Them In The Ambulance | The New Load and Go?
January 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Sometimes a hectic scene or stressful call can have you hurrying your EMS care or transport. While it may not always affect patient care or outcome, it can give a poor perception if pictures are taken. It can also put you as the provider at risk depending on the patient, transport or details you might miss. This week I focused on a discussion over at the JEMS page on Facebook regarding a picture taken at what I am sure was a hectic scene.
Take a look at this video and post below what you see going wrong in the picture. Can you understand the short cuts that seem to be taken or is there no excuse no matter the scene or call type?
Hemorrhage Types | Bleeding Control
December 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
While bleeding control is a basic and common EMS skill, knowing the different types of bleeding can help you anticipate how difficult managing the bleeding will be. It can also help you with your documentation and communication with ED staff. This weeks episode talks about different hemorrhage types and basic bleeding control techniques.
Psychiatric Patients | Medical, Mental or Both?
November 28, 2012 by 2 Comments
Is it Emergency Medical Services or Mental Services? I’m not sure about where you work but by me, psychiatric calls are just as abundant as chest pain calls and MVC’s. Pretty much the one call you can count on every shift.
This week we talk about transporting the psychiatric patient, why EMS is saddled with this often “expensive taxi ride” that stresses providers and the system resources. Is more training for EMS the answer, better utilization of non emergency resources or perhaps a smarter approach to each patient including how and where we transport them.
Podcast: Download
Show notes
Thanks to Bob Sullivan, Josh Knapp, Brian Breithaupt and Walter Dusseldorp for joining in. Thanks to all who took part in the live chat as well, you made great points that kept the show going.
Here is a position paper by National Association of EMS Physicians that was offered up by Joe P. in the chat room
I welcome your comments and spirited debate below.
EMS Diabetic Patient Tips
September 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Here is a quick overview of hyper and hypoglycemia. Some key points to look for during your patient assessment and advice on a few other AMS causes.
EMS Alcohol Poisoning Treatment | DT’s
August 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This weeks Minutes I point out some key signs and symptoms along with suggested EMS treatment for acute alcohol intoxicated patients. I also include withdrawal seizures and delirium tremens. See the Youtube video version at http://youtu.be/gCv0wk8mUE8
Podcast: Download
EMS Protocol Deviation
July 11, 2012 by 3 Comments
When do you deviate from your EMS protocols? When is it right to do so? Many systems leave it vague on how to handle this aspect of EMS and most training and education doesn’t cover why, when or where we should be considering it.
Words like “may, consider, withhold” make it very hit or miss. Add to that the various interpretations by state, regional or even in house QA/QI and you can have providers treating patients in the interest of self preservation and not the best interest of the patient.
This was a great episode and each guest had thoughtful input on this passionate topic.
Podcast: Download
Show notes
David Aber – The EMS Difference
Bob Sullivan – EMS Patient Perspective
Josh Knapp – WANTYNU
Tim Noonan – Rogue Medic
Articles worth checking out
http://www.ems1.com/ems-management/articles/1308559-Judgment-calls-When-would-you-break-protocol/
http://emspatientperspective.com/2012/05/01/the-permisson-paradox/
Pediatric Patients | It’s More Than Just Crying
May 2, 2012 by 1 Comment
The pediatric patient. We’ve all heard the little quips before. They’re not little adults, they crash fast, don’t lie to them.
Honestly, I lie to them all the time. It’s the parents I tell the truth to. But still, dealing with pediatrics is more than just calming the crying infant or knowing that “Hey, this isn’t a little adult”. Age groups, diseases, injury types, parents, bystanders and even other providers all play a role in the call and the outcome.
Take a listen to this episode and give your pediatric call tips or tell us a story in the comments below.
Podcast: Download
Show Notes:
Life Under The Lights post mentioned during the show.
Dave Aber at The EMS Difference
Follow Dave on Twitter here.
The Protocol Effect | Airway Management
December 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment
In this installment of Office Hours we revisit the series “The Protocol Effect” and discuss airway management. Should this be controlled by written guidelines, clinical impressions or current research? Anyone who has been in the field knows a GCS of less than 8 or 10 doesn’t always mean a patient requires intubation or advanced airway management. Yet many protocols say to do just that. This may just be another time when providers need to prove their understanding of these skills, their need and the patients we treat. Take a listen to this episode and tell us about your guidelines and how you interpret them.
Podcast: Download
Show notes:
Thanks to Mr. JD Graziano for joining me on the show. Check out his podcast at EMSStandingOrders.com and following on Twitter at @AJDGRAZIANO.
Listen to the Standing Orders podcast on The Future Of Airway Management here.
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