EMS Today

Trauma Airway Management: The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of (Part 2)

What is high-risk airway management (HRAM)? It is exactly the stuff nightmares are made of: Patients who present to us, outside of the hospital, with severe injuries and competing treatment priorities.

Performing RSI on these patients is a lot like walking alone down a scary alleyway in the big city.

Read the full article on EMS Airway.

Not A-Fib: Mobile Integrated Healthcare, Advocacy and Mental Health in Missouri

Not A-Fib:  Mobile Integrated Healthcare, Advocacy and Mental Health in Missouri

Chief Justin Duncan, CEO of Washington County Ambulance District in Missouri, shares insights on pioneering mobile integrated healthcare in a sprawling 1,500-square-mile rural area. Winning the $150,000 Building Bridges to Better Health challenge, his program blends community paramedics, telehealth, and partnerships with federally qualified health centers and social service organizations to close care gaps beyond traditional EMS responses. Duncan discusses the evolution from emergency transport to preventative, holistic care, tackling chronic diseases and social determinants of health, while navigating reimbursement challenges through managed care contracts and advocacy. He highlights the crucial role of public health in community needs assessments and stresses the urgent need to address mental health within EMS, sharing personal stories and calling for cultural change. As president of the Missouri EMS Association and chair of the NAEMT Economics Committee, Duncan emphasizes teamwork, mentorship and engagement at all levels—from local agencies to Capitol Hill—to shape the future of EMS and ensure sustainable, patient-centered care.

The JEMS Report: Practical Insights for Out-of-Hospital Birth Challenges

The JEMS Report: Practical Insights for Out-of-Hospital Birth Challenges

 

In this episode of the JEMS Report Podcast, managing editor Jeff Frankel sits down with Dr. Liz Travis, a maternal care researcher, to discuss the growing challenges EMS providers face with out-of-hospital births. They unpack the critical gaps in traditional EMS training, particularly as maternal care deserts expand, leaving medics increasingly responsible for delivering babies in the field. Dr. Travis shares evidence-based strategies like the importance of delayed cord clamping (“wait for white”), skin-to-skin contact, and encouraging comfortable, non-supine birthing positions to improve outcomes for mother and infant. She advocates for updated, hands-on EMS training that reflects modern obstetric knowledge, including collaboration with midwives and doulas. Above all, Dr. Travis emphasizes that birth is usually natural, not an emergency, encouraging EMS providers to remain calm and focus on simple, effective practices. This episode offers essential insights for paramedics and EMS agencies preparing to meet the demands of maternal care in underserved areas.

Trauma Airway Management: The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of (Part 1)

Airway management in the prehospital environment is difficult just by virtue of where we are doing it and the lack of resources available to help us manage the difficulties. Add to that a patient with mangled facial anatomy or is dangerously peri-arrest due to hemorrhage and the danger can seem insurmountable.

What the research tells us is that there are really three big buckets of problems in airway management that contribute to morbidity and mortality: hypoxia, hypotension and multiple intubation attempts; this is the stuff that airway nightmares are made of.

Read the full article on EMS Airway.

Not A-Fib :Inside New Orleans EMS’s Body Worn Camera Program and Mass Casualty Response

Not A-Fib :Inside New Orleans EMS’s Body Worn Camera Program and Mass Casualty Response

 

In this episode of the Not A-fib podcast, Deputy Chief Christopher Keller of New Orleans Emergency Medical Services shares the origins and impact of their innovative body worn camera program.

The program protects staff, supports quality assurance and aids patient care. Keller discusses navigating privacy concerns, storage challenges, and staff buy-in while prioritizing transparency over punishment. He also reflects on the agency’s rapid and coordinated response to the tragic January 1, 2025 Bourbon Street attack, highlighting lessons learned and multi-agency training efforts.

Additionally, Keller provides insight into preparing for massive events like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, where public safety coordination is key.

The episode closes with reflections on the department’s experience filming the Nightwatch TV series and the future potential of integrating body cam footage with EMS documentation.

The JEMS Report - How Drones Are Transforming EMS Logistics and Healthcare Delivery

The JEMS Report - How Drones Are Transforming EMS Logistics and Healthcare Delivery
 

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel sits down with Ryan Walsh, CEO and founder of Valqari, to explore how drones are revolutionizing emergency medical services and hospital logistics. Drawing on his special operations experience, Walsh reveals how Valqari developed autonomous drone technology to deliver critical medical supplies quickly, slashing delivery times.
The discussion covers real-world applications like transporting blood samples and emergency meds, plus cutting-edge AI integration that could enable fully automated, doctor-to-door healthcare. Walsh also highlights ongoing collaborations with first responders to provide life-saving supplies on-site faster than ever.
He breaks down FAA regulations shaping drone deployment and shares his vision for drones becoming as common as smartphones by 2030, drastically reducing delivery costs and reshaping industries. This episode offers practical insights for EMS leaders gearing up for drone adoption and a glimpse at the future of autonomous medical logistics.
 

EMS Research: Severe Hemorrhage Technology Developed by Military Researchers

EMS Research: Severe Hemorrhage Technology Developed by Military Researchers

 

Severe hemorrhage is one of the toughest challenges faced in the prehospital environment, especially when every second counts and resources are limited. But a recent study on the use of 25% human serum albumin (HSA) in trauma care could change how responders approach these critical moments.

The study was led by United States Air Force Scientist Alex Penn, PhD. The findings from his team suggest that this concentrated protein solution can stabilize blood pressure, reduce the need for additional fluids, and improve circulation in ways traditional methods cannot. For paramedics, this could mean a shelf-stable, easy-to-use solution that saves more lives in the toughest conditions, revolutionizing pre-hospital care as we know it.

The JEMS Report - How Critical Incident Response Canines Are Changing First Responder Support

The JEMS Report - How Critical Incident Response Canines Are Changing First Responder Support

 

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel sits down with Janeen Baggette, the founder of K9s for Freedom and Independence, to explore a unique approach to first responder well-being.

With a background as a military medic and law enforcement handler, Janeen shares how her nonprofit trains specialized Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) canines. These dogs differ from typical therapy and patrol dogs—they’re specially conditioned to operate in chaotic environments, offering emotional support while maintaining confidentiality crucial for legal and occupational safety.

Janeen walks us through the rigorous selection and training process, highlighting their ability to detect cortisol levels reflecting human stress. Through heartfelt stories, she illustrates the quiet impact these canines have on victims and first responders alike.

Challenges around funding and awareness remain, but Janine’s vision for expanding certified teams across the country offers hope for better communication, reduced suicide rates, and stronger peer support in these high-pressure fields.

Unpacking CDC Guidelines on Masks, Vehicle Ventilation and Post-Exposure Protocols

Infection control consultant Katherine West breaks down the critical distinctions between infection prevention practices in EMS settings versus medical facilities.

 

She clarifies how EMS-specific CDC guidelines account for unique factors like ambulance ventilation systems, the rear exhaust fan and closed suction systems that impact airborne and droplet disease transmission risks.

 

Katherine addresses the evidence behind mask and respirator use, emphasizing that clinical data since 2015 shows no clear advantage of N95 respirators over surgical masks for many respiratory infections in EMS contexts.

 

She also highlights post-exposure protocols, explaining why EMS personnel do not require immediate baseline blood testing, unlike hospital staff. Practical advice on COVID-19, tuberculosis, measles, Ebola precautions and aerosolized medication administration underscores why EMS must follow tailored guidelines rather than hospital-based protocols.

How Sensory Modulation Therapy is Transforming Mental Health Support for First Responders

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel sits down with occupational therapist Bonnie Ekman and paramedic leader Alanna Badgley to explore sensory modulation therapy as a breakthrough tool for first responders’ mental health.

 

Bonnie explains how engaging all eight senses helps regulate the nervous system, moving beyond traditional talk therapy when first responders are stuck in fight-or-flight activation.

 

Alana shares her personal experience and the positive feedback from EMS professionals who have benefited from sensory rooms designed to soothe hypervigilance and stress.

 

They discuss practical, budget-friendly ways departments can implement sensory modulation spaces, emphasizing low-cost solutions like colored lighting, calming sounds, and tactile tools.