On-Demand The Data-Driven Truth on the Impact of COVID-19 on EMS Providers
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented event that continues to threaten the short and long-term mental wellbeing of the EMS workforce in Kentucky and the United States. In ordinary circumstances, emergency medical personnel are at risk of psychological impact from work-related stress and exposures. However, in the context of COVID-19, did it really get worse? How much worse? In April of 2020, the Kentucky Board of EMS and Eastern Kentucky University engaged in a joint, IRB approved project to assess the impact of COVID-19 on key mental health outcomes that put providers at risk for PTSD - severity of depression, severity of anxiety, quality of sleep, and feelings of resilience. The purpose of this presentation is to review the collective findings of this data, discuss implications for the EMS workforce, and offer resources to improve outcomes.
On-Demand The Meta-bolic Nightmare Case: Resuscitation at its Highest
Eric takes a look at a very difficult case of multifactorial resuscitation with an adult male patient. We dive deep into all things resuscitation and analyze factors that drive our decision-making. This takes the "acidosis rodeo podcast series to another level
On-Demand The Most Important Vital Sign: 20 Things EMS Can Do With Capnography
“Perhaps the most important monitoring tool prehospital providers can use” - end-tidal waveform Capnography - it isn’t just for respirations anymore. Using a simple four-step assessment technique, this program shows EMS providers of all levels how capnography can be used not only to confirm successful endotracheal intubation, but to evaluate shock in trauma patients, monitor for the return (or loss of) pulses during CPR, identify bronchospasm in asthma and hypoxic drive in COPD, to guide seizure management and paralytic medication administration, and much, much more. This case-driven session develops the fundamentals of capnography so that every EMS provider can improve the assessment, treatment, and outcome for their patients using the diagnostic tools of end-tidal waveform monitoring.
On-Demand The New 2021 Field Triage Guidelines: Who, What, and Why
The EMS Field Triage Guidelines (FTG) were originally developed in 1976 by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), with periodic revisions every 5-10 years. The most recent revisions of the FTG were led by the US Centers for Disease Control and completed in 2011. In March of 2022, the next FTG revision will be released by the ACS. Our presentation will provide the audience member an overview of the new guidelines, an insider’s view of the revision process, and education and dissemination tools that can be brought back to their home departments.
The revisions were based on an extensive literature review, end-user feedback on the 2011 guidelines, and expert opinion. The presentation will examine the current literature, the results of the end-user feedback collection, and will describe the performance measures and education tools related to the new guidelines. Many of the audience members likely provided end-user feedback, and this presentation will highlight how their opinions contributed to the new guidelines.
The revisions were based on an extensive literature review, end-user feedback on the 2011 guidelines, and expert opinion. The presentation will examine the current literature, the results of the end-user feedback collection, and will describe the performance measures and education tools related to the new guidelines. Many of the audience members likely provided end-user feedback, and this presentation will highlight how their opinions contributed to the new guidelines.
On-Demand The Night I Almost Jumped: EMS and the Stigma of Mental Health
Mental health - the elephant in every Emergency Services station and dispatch center. Mental health - the taboo subject no one talks about. Well, not anymore. We're going to have a talk about why Matt had a bout of depression that nearly ended his life. We are going to talk about some of our brothers and sisters who are no longer with us because they lost their battle with their demons. What is the extent of the problem? What's being done about it? We're going to talk about the stigma, and how to break it. We're going to learn how to cope, how to be resilient. Above all, we are going to learn it's ok to not be ok, and it's ok to talk about all of this. Because this time, the life we save may be our own.
On-Demand The Role Of EMS In Suicide Prevention And Crisis Response: How Are You Educating And Advocating In Your Community?
Over the last several years responding to calls for patients in mental health crisis has been highlighted across the country. Since 2018, federal agencies involved in crisis response have been planning for the roll out of 988 a new three digit number for the suicide lifeline. In the summer of 2022, a new 988 number is going live across the country. What does that mean for EMS? Have things changed in your 911 center? Are there new resources for crisis response in your community? Do those providing crisis services understand EMS in your community? Now is the time to collaborate to improve behavioral health in your community. EMS has a critical role to play not just in response but also prevention.
On-Demand The UBER Effect: The EMS tool to increase employee moral and patient experiences!
UBER has found a way to raise the bar on customer service and performance both with the use of technology and the immediate feedback of drivers and their passengers. UBER drivers strive to receive a 5 star rating as they know it will drive more business their way and while creating more loyalty to UBER. Do you think your agency would treat your patients different if you knew the patient was going to evaluate the care and the provider shortly after receiving treatment? Hospitals use a third party evaluation program from Press Gainey to evaluate the patient impression on clinical performance, the healthcare team and the overall hospital visit. This session will go into changing the way we think about employee morale and patient experiences if we work towards a five star rating.
On-Demand Top 10 Tips When Transporting Kids
Many EMS providers cringe at the thought of a pediatric patient and trying to figure out how to transport them. Should a provider use the car seat involved in a motor vehicle crash MVC? Do you risk upsetting a baby while you try to put them in a car seat, or do you let mom hold the baby on the way to the hospital? Pediatric transports typically only make up about 10% of total EMS calls, but are also typically some of the most anxiety-inducing calls. In this presentation, Stephanie Busch, an NREMT and Certified Child Passenger Safety technician, will provide some quick tips and considerations for frontline EMS providers when transporting children. Ms. Busch will engage the audience while they explore their own concerns about pediatric calls, and will help problem solve potential challenges providers face in the field. Attendees will learn several different tips to help them make better transport decisions with a pediatric patient.
On-Demand Traumatic Cardiac Arrest: Meaningful Interventions
How much closed chest compressions or epinephrine fixes hypovolemia or a tension pneumothorax? Successful resuscitation of the traumatic cardiac arrest patient requires the provider to focus on, and aggressively treat, the reversible causes of traumatic cardiac arrest. After this lecture, participants will understand the underlying problems, define the definitive treatment and identify specific actions to do, and what not to do, when treating the traumatic cardiac arrest patient.
On-Demand Trends in the Misuse/Abuse of Non-Prescription Medications and Exotic Plant Material
The incidence of prescription drug abuse, overdose and death has skyrocketed over the past few years and has been exacerbated by the isolation associated with the COVID pandemic. At the same time there has been a world-wide insurgence in the misuse and abuse of over-the counter (OTC) medications by adolescents and young adults. Individuals have false perceptions that OTC drugs are innocuous since they are easy to purchase, inexpensive, readily available and considered to be safe. The “pharming phenomenon” involving the non-medical use of OTC drugs often accompanies the use of alcohol and illicit drugs.
OTC drugs are typically abused to achieve a “high” that results in euphoria and a dissociative state with hallucinations. The consequences of misuse/abuse of OTC drugs may be severe resulting in agitation, tachycardia, psychosis and seizures and potential life-threatening complications. The risk of significant morbidity increases when OTC medications are used in combination with alcohol and other recreational drugs. Dependence and withdrawal symptoms (confusion, irritability, agitation, anxiety and mood changes) are not uncommon.
This session will cover the vaping as well as commonly abused OTC medications; as well as Tianeptine, exotic plant material Kratom, and their roles in the Opioid Epidemic.
OTC drugs are typically abused to achieve a “high” that results in euphoria and a dissociative state with hallucinations. The consequences of misuse/abuse of OTC drugs may be severe resulting in agitation, tachycardia, psychosis and seizures and potential life-threatening complications. The risk of significant morbidity increases when OTC medications are used in combination with alcohol and other recreational drugs. Dependence and withdrawal symptoms (confusion, irritability, agitation, anxiety and mood changes) are not uncommon.
This session will cover the vaping as well as commonly abused OTC medications; as well as Tianeptine, exotic plant material Kratom, and their roles in the Opioid Epidemic.
On-Demand Under Construction..... Why Having The Right People Is Important For Building A Successful Community Paramedic Team
Having the right people makes all the difference in a successful team. If you have been working to create a Community Paramedic team, you have realized it takes many different people and specialties to be successful. You start with a motivated medical director and a few highly motivated community paramedics but, quickly realize you need more help. You need to add more community Paramedics to your team. How do you choose those community paramedics? Will the most senior paramedic be the easiest choice? Should I hire a brand-new paramedic, so I am able to shape and mold them to fit community paramedicine? How do you find the same motivation in new community paramedics that you stared with? New community paramedics soon find out that this is not the “easy” job they were looking for. Often, they join the team looking for better hours or a less physically demanding job. They quickly find that the demands of a community paramedic can be even more stressful than they expected.
On-Demand Understanding Why We React The Way We Do: Harnessing Emotional Intelligence For Leadership Success
Every day, EMS leaders are confronted by situations where a true understanding of various emotions can spell the difference between success and failure. Being prepared intellectually isn’t enough; you MUST understand the emotions boiling behind the scenes.
Emotional intelligence - that is, the ability to understand not only your own emotions, but also the emotions of those around you - is integral to individual and professional success. Psychologists hypothesize that 90% of success is based on emotional intelligence (EQ), as opposed to your Intelligence Quotient (IQ). EQ plays a role in negotiations, decision making, communications and many other areas essential to effective leadership.
Join Ray as he uses his extensive background in EMS - from working on the truck to the hallowed halls of State Government - and offers practical advice using real-world scenarios to develop your emotional intelligence and help you succeed in dealing with conflict in your organization.
Emotional intelligence - that is, the ability to understand not only your own emotions, but also the emotions of those around you - is integral to individual and professional success. Psychologists hypothesize that 90% of success is based on emotional intelligence (EQ), as opposed to your Intelligence Quotient (IQ). EQ plays a role in negotiations, decision making, communications and many other areas essential to effective leadership.
Join Ray as he uses his extensive background in EMS - from working on the truck to the hallowed halls of State Government - and offers practical advice using real-world scenarios to develop your emotional intelligence and help you succeed in dealing with conflict in your organization.
On-Demand What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate: Top Communications Tips For EMS Leaders And Leaders-to-be
It is impossible to be a great leader without being a great communicator. It’s that simple, yet, at the same time, that complex.
There are some constants to effective communications that we can learn from great leaders. Drawing on examples from leaders in the political realm – such as Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy – as they endeavored to unite nations or even the business world - such as Stephen Covey and Steve Jobs – as they strategically led their companies, the lessons are myriad.
In this presentation, Ray Barishansky, an EMS and Public Health professional with over 25 years of experience in the field in positions of increasing responsibility, will share the various communication secrets – such as being a great listener, reading a crowd effectively and adapting your messaging to the environment - that leaders have utilized to success.
There are some constants to effective communications that we can learn from great leaders. Drawing on examples from leaders in the political realm – such as Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy – as they endeavored to unite nations or even the business world - such as Stephen Covey and Steve Jobs – as they strategically led their companies, the lessons are myriad.
In this presentation, Ray Barishansky, an EMS and Public Health professional with over 25 years of experience in the field in positions of increasing responsibility, will share the various communication secrets – such as being a great listener, reading a crowd effectively and adapting your messaging to the environment - that leaders have utilized to success.
On-Demand What’s New in NEMSIS v3.5: The Benefits and Impact of Updating the EMS Data Standard
The National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) launched an update to the National EMS Data Standard that will be widely implemented this year and next. NEMSIS Version 3.5 has far-reaching implications to data quality, collection, and utilization. We will review the purpose and value of a national standard, introduce changes to the information collected in the field with implementation of v3.5, and discuss how clinicians, agencies, states, and national partners are using EMS data to improve EMS response.
On-Demand Why Conducting Research Improves Your Team's Care
You've read published research. Research guides evidence-based protocol development, improves outcomes, and increases patient (and provider) safety. Completing research within your team goes beyond the direct results, it can provide additional benefits to the provider, the patient and the system. Join Kevin as he discusses how his system has grown over 8 years of conducting research studies, how the results have been shared, and how the "so what" has been used to transform the system. This thought provoking conversation will inspire you to look at opportunities to conduct and share your own research and use it to drive your system forward.
Research can change the world, but what do you do with it, how do you share it, and why else can it tell you? Come join Kevin as he discusses how his team's clinical trials have improved engagement, clinical consistency, outcomes, and recruitment. Learn how your own original research can transform your team beyond the published results.
Research can change the world, but what do you do with it, how do you share it, and why else can it tell you? Come join Kevin as he discusses how his team's clinical trials have improved engagement, clinical consistency, outcomes, and recruitment. Learn how your own original research can transform your team beyond the published results.