We touch base again with Dr. Joe Holley for our fifth short update on the COVID-19 outbreak. Watch for more of these updates a one or two times a week on top of our normal episode rotation as Joe has more information to share with us.

Here are the key points Joe covered on this brief call:

General COVID-19 Presentation and Care:

* Don’t “chase the numbers.” These patients may present with SpO2 sats in 70s or 80s but are still compensating with just supplemental O2. Assess the patient so we don’t rush to tubing them.

* Joe shared to be careful with limited use of CPAP for Pts up to pressures of 12cm of H2O.

* Be prepared to cover pt with supplemental mask covering over nasal cannula or non-rebreather mask.

* More evidence coming in COVID-19 may affect oxygenation capacity of hemoglobin in some way. Joe has thoughts on the episode regarding treating for ARDS vs treating like high-altitude sickness.

More Updates Soon

Stay tuned for more updates periodically in the coming weeks as Joe reaches out amidst his duties and busy schedule to share his viewpoint on the response with us as he is able.

Join the Discussion

Join the discussion after the show with co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis, the Podmedic in our Disaster Podcast Facebook Group now!

Paragon Brings “The Experience”

Paragon Medical Education Group specializes in bringing what they call “The Experience” to jurisdictions around the country. They bring together police, fire, EMS, and hospital teams to train together and learn what to expect from each diverse group in the response team so that each knows what to expect from the other and how to back the other groups up. Visit Paragon’s site at ParagonMedicalGroup.com for more information on how this can be brought into your system.