Buck Feris, a paramedic and EMS educator, and Greg Friese discuss communicating with patients and their family when the patient has a poorly managed chronic health condition like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, or COPD. Often times EMS providers see patients at their worst. We may be able to fix or resolve the acute problem, but […]
Month: July 2009
Have you ever had a partner that said, “just make something up” or “we can just guess because nobody looks at those anyway” or “those forms don’t matter so stop filling them out.” Being complacent or complacency is making the choice to do things part way or not quite good enough. In the end it […]
A National Expert Panel, convened by the CDC, has recently developed and deployed a Field Triage Decision Scheme for EMS providers to select the most appropriate level of care for trauma patients. The decision scheme uses four criteria – physiologic, anatomic, MOI, and special considerations – to make the determination. It also allows and encourages […]
Although H1N1 (swine flu) has faded from the evening news headlines it has not gone away. This map from the CDC shows the geographic spread of H1N1 in the United States as of July 11. What is the incidence of H1N1 in your state? Scroll down for Everyday EMS Tips on staying up-to-date about incidence […]
EMS Boot Camp is through and engaging live online education for EMS students and professionals. After our July 15 session on EMS test taking Rich O – a paramedic with 30 years in the EMS industry sent this feedback, “Content was solid – I learned some things I did not know. You clarified expectations up […]
The EMSEduCast – a podcast by and for EMS educators – discussed field preceptorship and clinical education for paramedics during its weekly June shows. One of the topics that came up frequently was orientation and training for field preceptors. Rich Beebe, program director of the Center for Rural EMS Education, was the July 15, guest […]
5 Common Lightning Myths
Lightning is a leading cause of weather related death. Prevent lightning death and injury, as well as providing rapid treatment by dispelling these myths about lightning. Myth 1: No rain, no lightning. Fact: Lightning can strike 10-15 miles ahead or behind the storm. Lightning can occur with clear blue sky overhead. Myth 2: Metal attracts […]
How would you learn the SAMPLE history of a patient who cannot hear your question? Neil McDevitt, Program Director of the Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network, TDI, shared six assessment tips and an outstanding video on assessing and treating patients that are deaf or hard of hearing. Read Neil’s tips and watch the video in […]
4 Cardiac Arrest Documentation Tips
Cardiac arrest patients are challenging patient care and documentation situations. Documenting the numerous interventions, personnel involved, and patient response is often more challenging than the actual patient care. Steve Krantz, a paramedic with 35 years of experience as a medic and EMS educator in Wisconsin, shared with me his tips on improving cardiac arrest patient […]
Buck Feris, a regular contributor to EverydayEMSTips.com, is producing a new podcast – Copy Code Three. The debut episode is an interview with a soldier and paramedic. From the show description: “Story of a paramedic who gave up his patch, and went to the Middle East to avenge the death of four family members. He […]