Applied EKG interpretation is often a difficult task in EMS and emergency medicine education. Getting bogged down in minutiae can obscure the patient. While an understanding of EKG foundational physiology is an absolute must, consideration of how to combine the 12-lead and patient presentation is vital as well. Join the podcast crew as they start at the end with the killer/"can't miss" EKG patterns and combine those with common chief complaints. Hopefully, this framework will click for you. REFERENCES 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXh8PS9dtmo 2. Walker P, Jenkins CA, Hatcher J, Freeman C ..read more

We've spent countless hours (rightfully so) discussing ischemic stroke management over the past several years. Sometimes, the other 20% of strokes, the hemorrhagic version, can get neglected. No, we don't have stroke-mobiles at MCHD to diagnose an ICH in the field, but there are some patient care keys to emphasize for EMS when we suspect non-traumatic, acute intracranial bleeding. REFERENCES 1. Qureshi AI, Palesch YY, Barsan WG, Hanley DF, Hsu CY, Martin RL, Moy CS, Silbergleit R, Steiner T, Suarez JI, Toyoda K, Wang Y, Yamamoto H, Yoon BW; ATACH-2 Trial Investigators and the Neurological Emer ..read more

MCHD paramedic Wes Hall joins the podcast crew to discuss a recent seemingly mundane back pain call. Listen to find out how avoidance of premature closure, a thorough exam, and professional patient advocacy led to an excellent outcome in a SCARY case. REFERENCES 1 ..read more

We recently made a significant vasopressor protocol change at MCHD, prioritizing norepinephrine in all shock situations except anaphylaxis and bradycardia. The evidence supporting norepinephrine in septic and even cariogenic shock is relatively solid. However, recent data has emerged suggesting norepinephrine may be safer in post-ROSC shock as well. REFERENCES 1. Bougouin W, Slimani K, Renaudier M, et al; Sudden Death Expertise Center Investigators. Epinephrine versus norepinephrine in cardiac arrest patients with post-resuscitation shock. Intensive Care Med. 2022 Mar;48(3):300-310. 2. Wender ..read more

MCHD District Chief April Curry joins the podcast crew to discuss an angioedema case that repeatedly left more questions than answers. Dr. Patrick was tasked with managing the airway and definitely has some lessons learned to share with the listeners ..read more

The podcast crew dives deep into one of the early "STEMI equivalent" ECG patterns: ST elevation in aVR with diffuse ST depression. What does the evidence say about this pattern? Is there a FOAM lesson to be learned? How should we incorporate this ECG into our practice? REFERENCES 1. Harhash AA, Huang JJ, Reddy S, Natarajan B, Balakrishnan M, Shetty R, Hutchinson MD, Kern KB. aVR ST Segment Elevation: Acute STEMI or Not? Incidence of an Acute Coronary Occlusion. Am J Med. 2019 May;132(5):622-630. 2. https://www.mchd-tx.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ST-elevation-AVR-ECGs-DeIDd.pdf ..read more

Dr. Dickson leads the discussion with recent cases involving the PECARN pediatric head injury decision rule and some super sneaky toxicology. There is some high-level detective work happening during this episode. Listen so you don't miss vital clues in your clinical practice. REFERENCES 1. Kuppermann N, Holmes JF, Dayan PS, et al; Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN). Identification of children at very low risk of clinically-important brain injuries after head trauma: a prospective cohort study. Lancet. 2009 Oct 3;374(9696):1160-70. 2. https://www.mchd-tx.org/wp-content/u ..read more

The podcast crew is joined by MCHD In-Charge Paramedics, Ben Breaux, and Jesus Contreras to discuss a critical case that demonstrates why continuing education and intentional mental reps are vital in emergency care. We've discussed the "how-to" when approaching the crashing tracheostomy patient. Let's add an actual MCHD case and a little review on top of that previous foundation. REFERENCES 1.https://www.tracheostomy.org.uk/storage/files/NTSP_GREEN_Tracheostomy_Algorithm.pdf ..read more

There is nothing more stressful than seeing EMS peri-arrest progress to pulseless. CARES data suggest that cardiac arrest during transport is not an uncommon event. Additionally, there is new evidence that these patients may not be as difficult to recognize as we might've thought. Join the podcast crew as we introduce the MCHD "MOVES" algorithm for a proactive approach to providing a safety net before transporting our critical patients. REFERENCES 1. Clemency BM, Murk W, Moore A, Brown LH. The EMS Modified Early Warning Score (EMEWS): A Simple Count of Vital Signs as a Predictor of Out-of-Hosp ..read more

Sometimes it's easy on the individual level to miss the positive drift within EMS as systems of care evolve and change toward positive innovation. Dr. Patrick hits the hot seat on this episode to discuss two recent cases where some of MCHD's favorite initiatives come together to improve patient outcomes and diagnostic recognition. REFERENCES: 1. Dickson RL, Crowe RP, Patrick C, Crocker K, Aiken M, Adams A, Gleisberg GR, Nichols T, Mason C, Panchal AR. Performance of the RACE Score for the Prehospital Identification of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke in a Suburban/Rural EMS Service. Prehosp Emerg ..read more