EMS Today

Not Just a Single Squirt: Understanding Nasal Drug Delivery

Paramedics in a rural setting respond to a young man who is unresponsive, barely breathing, has pinpoint pupils and has fresh needle marks along his arm veins. Recognizing this as an opiate overdose they assist ventilations and attempt to administer IV naloxone, but have difficulty starting an IV line.

They heard about nasal naloxone, so they squirt a vial of naloxone into the patient’s nose with a syringe (1 ml of 0.4 mg). It does not have any effect but they manage to establish an IV and administer another 0.4 mg IV. The patient awakens. Based on this experience, they decide nasal naloxone does not work and resist adoption of the concept during future discussions.

Read the full article here.

Congenital Syphilis

Congenital syphilis is a severe and often life-threatening infection seen in infants whose mothers were infected.

Kate Freshman

Firefighter/Paramedic Kate Freshman joins the Not A-Fib Podcast to discuss providing care while being recorded live on "Live Rescue" on A&E, and how she became involved with Women in Fire, which led her to create "Fire Up St. Louis.”

They also discuss her work on a peer support committee, working to channel members to the right resources to address mental health issues before they are in crisis.

Paramedic-Led Rapid Sequence Intubation

This podcast reviews RSI research related to paramedics with nurse anesthetist Penny Chiasson. She is also a hypnotherapist with Genesis Hypnosis.

Article discussed: Alzaatreh, M. Y., Alsadi, M. R., Alkhsealat, Y., Alhemedi, M., & Alrabab’a, M. H. (2022). Pre-hospital rapid sequence induction by paramedics: A scoping review. Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma & Acute Care (5) 40.

Connections: If you want to connect with Penny Chiasson you can reach her at penny@pennychiasson.com and to connect with the show, reach out through www.ProfessorBram.com.

Giving Grace

Eric Chase and Asbel Montes share stories of grace. Accountability still exists and grace allows for forgiveness. Pursue excellence from a place of grace.

Manual Ventilation Performance by EMS Responders

Manual ventilation is a basic skill that every emergency medical services (EMS) responder is expected to perform proficiently. Improper manual ventilation may result in significant morbidity; however, there is no feedback mechanism or method of control for the volume, pressure, or frequency during manual ventilation. In this study, we aimed to quantify the ventilation parameters of manually delivered breaths using a simulated lung.

Read the full article here.

Hemorrhage Control Insights from Research

This podcast discusses the latest research in EMS bleeding control with Will Chapleau who is a paramedic, nurse, educator and writer.

Article discussed: IPMI. (October 1, 2023). International Prehospital Medicine Institute Literature Review, October 2023. Journal of Emergency Medical Services. https://www.jems.com/patient-care/international-prehospital-medicine-institute-literature-review-october-2023/

Finding Benefits within Challenges

Eric Chase talks with Daniel Sundahl in a wide-ranging conversation, which includes post-traumatic growth.

Non-Respiratory Disease Pathologies That May Complicate Airway Management

Respiratory distress is one of the most common emergencies resulting in a 911 call. Whether it be an asthma attack, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation or complication of pneumonia, difficulty breathing is a symptom that prehospital providers encounter quite frequently.

Most patients that call for emergency medical services for breathing problems have known-disease pathologies that are respiratory in nature. For example, patients with asthma, an obstructive pulmonary disorder, often present with chest tightness, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Nebulized albuterol and supplemental oxygen are normally first-line interventions for the typical asthma attack. Providers understand the mechanism of action for those medications since they aim to correct the impaired respiratory processes as a result of disease.

Read the full article here.

Hypoglycemia with a Comedian

This podcast discusses hypoglycemia research and practice in EMS with Eric Chase who is a comedian, paramedic and educator.

Article discussed: Li, J. (2023, September 6). Article Bites: Is it safe to treat and release patients with hypoglycemia? In EMS1 after previously being printed by NAEMSP.