EMS Today

High-Flow Nasal Cannula: It’s Not Just a Bunch of Hot Air!

Not every patient experiencing a moderate level of hypoxemic respiratory failure does well on a high-flow nasal cannula. (Photo courtesy Hamilton Medical AG)When I first started as a hospital respiratory therapist, the nasal cannula was our go-to low-flow (LFNC) device, designed to deliver an FiO₂ of approximately 24 to 44% at flows of 1 to 6 liters per minute. When patients needed more oxygen, we would typically consider a face mask using a humidified large volume nebulizer to deliver 35-50%. A tandem setup could deliver upward of 80-90%. When more oxygen was necessary, we had the NRB (non-rebreather) mask.

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STAT Financial Health: Side-Hustles and Starting a Small Business

In this episode of the STAT Financial Health: EMS Personal Finance podcast, we talk with Amy Eisenhauer, also known as The EMS Siren, about starting a side-hustle or small business while working in EMS. 

Mosquito-Borne Diseases in the News

Infection control consultant Katherine West identifies mosquito-borne diseases and gives prevention measures for EMS providers.

Introducing the Not A-Fib Podcast

Mark Flauter introduces the first episode of his "Not A-Fib" podcast and discusses his role as deputy chief of EMS for the Florissant Valley (MO) Fire Protection District.

Mark highlights several issues facing EMS, including personnel retention, leadership, career development, education, recruitment and mental health.

Next month's episode features Dr. Bryan Bledsoe. He invites listeners to share their thoughts and concerns about EMS either on Instagram or email.

The Pet Peeves of EMS

Dov and Raphael get into some of the worst pet peeves that EMS responders experience. They happen to us all, in every profession, but in EMS when lives are in the balance, pet peeves take on a whole new meaning.

Give a listen and write in the comments some of the pet peeves that you've experienced on the job. We'd love to hear from you what really gets your goat on the job.

Together, we may not be able to solve them, but we can all identify with them and empathize with one another.

Compelling Tellings from Expellings

We all have it, some of us use it, but few use it to its full potential. I’m referring to the measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂). The objective of this presentation is how to tell from those “expellings” the best way to optimize survival after cardiac arrest (CA). Our objectives will be to measure and use ETCO_2, as an invaluable guide to resuscitation care.

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EMS Improv: EMS Brokenness

It's time to rethink strategies and tactics to unify the workforce and achieve equity. Eric Chase has a conversation with Alanna Badgley, Anthony Almojera and Bryony Gilbey.

A Broken Rhythm: My Heart Story

Nikki Volpi, PhD, NRP, shares her story of resilience and more with Eric Chase.

Why PEEP?

Positive End Expiratory Pressure, or PEEP, is getting a lot of attention lately. First described in 1938 as an addition to mechanical ventilation that improved oxygenation in acute pulmonary edema, asphyxia and sepsis, the hemodynamic effects of PEEP prevented its widespread use until the 1960s.

By 1970, PEEP had gained traction in treating premature neonates with respiratory distress and adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Today, a growing body of literature suggests that PEEP benefits a wide variety of patients with respiratory distress and might well be useful any time you need to assist ventilations.

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My First Time

Raphael and Dov get a bit personal and talk about their first times in EMS, from the first EMS call they witnessed, to their first ambulance rides, to the first time they responded to terror attacks and many more. Join us on the road of nostalgia, because there is nothing like your first time, and you never forget it, either.