Prehospital Paradigm Podcast

A question of Dopamine or Epinephrine initiates a discussion regarding what should/should not be in a drug box, how to have a good relationship with your pharmacy and the possible use of apps in the prehospital setting. The big question in this episode, when is it appropriate to downgrade a call from an ALS to a BLS?

Answering questions from the listeners as the grab bag episode continues.  Patient refusals, the use of Ketamine within in the seizure algorithm and sepsis are part of the discussion.

Some online questions have come in through the website.. time to clear out the email box. In this grab bag, chest pain assessment, the contraindications of epinephrine for anaphylaxis.

EMS Education Podcast

As will be the routine in 2025, the Extra Monday Episodes are dedicated to interpreting EKG rhythms. This month, the crew discusses, bradycardias, tachycardias and wide and narrow rhythms.

Continuing the EMS education talk with Falon Steiner of the UH EMS Institute team and discusses what is practical education for EMS students  and the ability to understand “why” vs. “how/when” to treat patients.  The national registry is also a topic as far as assessing student competency.

Dr. Glen Tinkoff, System Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at University Hospitals joined the team at this Live Episode held at Parma Fire Station #2.  The group discusses the varied capabilities of trauma center levels and the Golden Hour.

In this 3^rd part of the team’s discussion of adult trauma care with Dr. Glen Tinkoff, System Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at University Hospitals, the continuation of trauma center designation criteria continues. On-scene times and the use of ground and air transport methods are discussed which leads into a discussion of what will “kill” a trauma patient?

Ray, Caleb and Dr. Hill continue with Dr. Glen Tinkoff, System Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at University Hospitals.  The discussion of having a defined Level 4 Trauma Center designation starts this episode and then the group discussion the changes in prehospital trauma care based .. i.e. tourniquets, lactated ringers and cervical collars that has been based on data collection.

Ray Pace takes the lead this month as the crew talks adult trauma topics with, Dr. Glen Tinkoff, System Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at University Hospitals.  In this first episode of the series, Dr. Tinkoff reflects on how he came to find Trauma Surgery as a specialty including his early life as a first responder. The group discusses the varied capabilities of trauma center levels and the Golden Hour.

As Dr. Hill, Scott, Vicky and Matt start to wind up the discussion regarding transfusion medicine for EMS, i.e. using blood products in the prehospital setting, they discuss the proper storage requirements necessary for products and the costs of maintaining the blood collection, storage and distribution process. What’s being considered before implementing blood products into the streets.

Scott and Dr. John Hill continue with their guests from the UH blood bank. The discussion continues regarding the emergent useage of blood products before and after the type and screening which can be done with 10 minutes or less depending on the type of testing equipment. They also move on to educating EMS professionals regarding being a part of the collection/donation process.

This month, the crew gets together with, Victoria Cary and Matt Howlett, members of the UH system's blood bank to talk about the progress of transfusion medicine becoming within the practice scope of EMS.  The information is based on rules, regulations and laws of the state of Ohio.  In Part 1, the crew and guests reviews the A, B, Os basics of “blood science.”

From a cardiology standpoint, what can be done by a basic level EMS provider vs. an advanced level provider? How can technology be utilized to expand the BLS scope of practice?

The basis of this discussion is the Ohio EMS Scope of Practice

In this month's episode, our guest, Brian Abbott, and the team discuss one of the most important topics for first responders - mental health. Thanks to the UH Portage Paramedic Program for having the team back in the classroom for this episode.

As the team prepares for the next live show, of course, the topic being the mental health of EMS and firefighting professionals, they wind up the in-studio conversation with local firefighter, Brian Abbott who has rebounded to the fire services after treatment for mental health issues related to being in the EMS/fire service.