A Paramedic’s World

This Episode is going to be the first of a multi-part series focused on an increase in the violent encounters EMS is facing. How do we most efficiently address these issues? What empirical data do we have? How do we best fashion Policies and Procedures? What tools can we provide for our people?
American Journal of Industrial Medicine Article
JEMS Article regarding the Dangers of EMS work
NIH Report

In this episode, we discuss the dynamic of identifying the difference between Spontaneous Responders and Bystanders. Is there a difference? I believe that there is. As first responders how can we identify the difference? How can we more effectively utilize Spontaneous Responders on large scale incidents and what are some considerations we have a moral obligation to consider? We'll explore this topic in more detail, as well as review some programs in place that are driving the discussion, on filling the gap between the actual incident occurrence and the arrival of Initial Professional Responders.
The Impromptu Immediate Responder - Christina Hernon
Corporation for National and Community Service: Link
Leveraging Volunteers during Emergent Events - Link
Be the Help - Link
Until Help Arrives - Link
Stop the Bleed - Link

Being able to provide pain management to your patients, is an essential part of pre-hospital medicine. Although, there is a balance to maintain between reducing a patient's pain level and reducing the patient's mentation, making continued care in the ED difficult. On this Episode, I talk to Dr. Parkolap, ER Medical Director at Westside Regional Hospital and Medical Director for Plantation Fire Department about the important considerations involved in pre-hospital pain management, the outcome goals, and the agents he recommends and why. Hope you enjoy our discussion.

In this discussion with the Chief Medical Officer for Broward County Sheriff's Office Fire Rescue, Dr. Roach, we explore the use of Whole Blood, pre-hospital, for the Hemorrhagic Shock patient. This intervention is currently being used on the Sheriff's Office Air Rescue Unit. There are discussions taking place to expand the program in the future to ground units. Dr. Roach also briefly discusses the use of TXA for the Traumatic Brain Injury patient.
We also briefly discuss Heads-Up CPR and some emerging techniques.
PDF Presentation of Pre Hospital Whole Blood; https://www.dropbox.com/s/d6c6z1nymh03oc3/BSO-WB%20Resuscitiation.%202019.1.pdf?dl=0
Glycocalyx Breakdown in Shock patients: https://ccforum.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s13054-019-2534-2

At some point, each of us will have to hang up our gloves and trauma sleeves and move on. How do we do that, EMS is a calling, it's not easy to just start from scratch. What's that transition like? On this episode, I talk to my friend Theresa Curbelo, who not only retired from a 30 year EMS career but remains involved in the EMS community through fundraising and assisting in organizing in EMS related conferences and events.
Web sites we discussed:
Firefighter Cancer Initiative
Fire Department Coffee
Bucket List Travels
Rally for Raegan