Prehospital Paradigm Podcast

As the BLS review and update continues, the discussion of proper ventilation adjuncts and techniques, massive bleeding control, i.e. tourniquets and direct pressure, and recognizing specific conditions ASA, i.e. stroke patients, diabetic emergencies.)

The team assembled to review basic live support assessments, theories and treatment modalities.  This episode discusses the importance of a good BLS background understanding.  BLS squads typically have better outcomes than ALS squads… simply by handling the basics!

In this portion of the podcast, we start talking about how EMS and fire can be a part of prevention of heat emergencies.  In addition, the crew talks about not having "heat emergency tunnel vision" and being sure to assess underlying or additional causes of the patient's status. The crew also addresses the pediatric patient scenarios.

As the team continues the discussion about heat emergencies, the reminder has to be noted that patient medications and medications within the EMS drug box, can affect how a patient responds to heat issues.  This includes the submersion tank treatment.  Just putting a patient into a water bath doesn't complete the treatment.   BTW, if the hospital doesn't have a dunk tank, who does?

Time does matter! The team, minus Scott, get together to talk about heat-related emergencies. Data shows greater than 119,000 ED visits are attributed to heat emergencies annually.  The most "at risk" population is the younger and older population and certainly athletes operating in extreme temperatures. By the way, a cold bath, asap, seems to be the current treatment of choice.