Kelly Grayson has been a Critical Care Paramedic with Acadian Ambulance in southwest Louisiana for 30 years. As his profession evolves, his passion for providing care remains constant. “I actually stumbled into EMS,” Kelly recalls. “I wanted to enter a nursing program at the local community college but there was an 18-month waiting list. The administrator recommended I sign up for an EMT course.” And the rest, as they say, is history. When asked what he loves most about being a paramedic, Kelly answers: “the autonomy.” He uses his own judgement and discretion when treating a patient and sees t ..read more

As clinicians, we understand that medical devices are critically important in the care of our patients. Almost every hospital patient will require at least one medical device for their care and treatment Unfortunately, medical equipment/devices that are used to save lives can also lead to pressure injuries. For instance, oxygen tubing or masks used to help improve patients’ oxygen saturation or orthopedic braces for fixation and/or mobility may cause a pressure injury. We also need to keep in mind the other devices our patients use every day-remote controls, cell phone chargers, eating utensil ..read more

Cars. Clothes. Bikes. Boats. When we shop for new products, we like to take them for a test drive. We want to make sure they work and we’re satisfied with them. Stethoscopes are no different. They are investments in meaningful connections. During an appointment, stethoscopes break the ice and cement the patient-provider relationship, all while empowering you, the clinician, to make (sometimes life-saving) diagnoses. So, it makes sense to test drive a stethoscope before buying. But how do you do this? Phone a friend When shopping around, there’s no substitute for trying out different stethoscop ..read more

Pressure injuries span across the care continuum. Understanding the best ways to prevent skin damage before it develops into a significant injury is critical to improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.1 Prevention requires the establishment and implementation of a multi-faceted program, with each part contributing to the reduction of pressure injuries. This program should ensure the education of physicians, families, clinicians, and our patients. It takes a village to help prevent pressure injuries. Continual education will help those involved to better understand, identify, and help pre ..read more

Pressure injuries are a global healthcare problem. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula that predicts how or when a patient may develop a pressure injury. Pressure injury formation depends on many factors including the intensity of the pressure and the presence and magnitude of shear forces, the duration of these forces, and the susceptibility of the patients. We do know that certain patients are at greater risk – this includes those with limited mobility, those in long-term care, and those with spinal cord injuries, hip fractures, and traumatic injuries. Underlying comorbidities such as d ..read more

Veterinarians are the ultimate generalists. From oncology to cardiology and more, our oath is to care for pets and their owners in the best way possible. As general practitioners, we have an obligation to provide excellent medical care. Over the last 20 years, I have built my own American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)-accredited veterinary practice and have learned a few things. #1 Embrace new technology Pets have shorter lives than humans and our goal is for them to live their best life. That’s why we seek the best tools to provide excellent care. I’ve had a 3M Littmann® Stethoscope for ..read more

Auscultation is a hallmark of medical education – an essential practice that students entering the medical field learn and use for a lifetime. The Littmann Learning and Littmann University Apps, powered by eMurmur, help modernize the way students master the art of auscultation. The apps offer an on-the-go experience that enables students to test their understanding at any time, virtually anywhere there is Wi-Fi, in real-time. Here are three reasons why the apps can benefit educators teaching auscultation. #1: They enable remote and on-the-go learning 2020 ushered in the era of remote learning ..read more