We often start with a diagnosis and teach from there – for example CHF, asthma, and COPD are all podcast topics we have previously tackled.  But, how to get to the final diagnosis is often a process that all levels of emergency providers struggle with.  To go from a chaotic scene with unstable vitals then filter to an organized differential.  The “Serial Killer Series” is going to target the most common chief complaints and the killer diagnoses that you should always consider.  We’re not going to spend time with non-emergent/chronic diagnoses, just the ones that are deadly when missed.  That’s where we, as emergency providers, must begin.  Today we’ll address the killers associated with the dyspneic patient.

REFERENCES

https://www.ebmedicine.net/media_library/files/Calculated%20Decisions%20E1212%20PERC%20Rule.pdf

https://www.mchd-tx.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/MCHDPP-80-Final-PDF.pdf

Episode 80 - Serial Killer Series - Shortness of Breath

The MCHD Paramedic Podcast is a place for prehospital providers to discuss best practices and offer clinical insights relevant to our daily practice. MCHD Medical Directors Dr. Robert Dickson and  Dr. Casey Patrick invite you to explore the many aspects of prehospital care. Along the way you can expect guest appearances by some of the brightest minds that influence modern EMS.

Science

The podcast crew is joined by a special guest, Dr. Andrew Partain, an EMS Fellow from UTSW in Dallas.  We will dissect his recent data surrounding ketamine-only intubation from MedStar in Fort Worth. This is not just another boring data rehash. There are some vital and applicable pearls that must be applied to the world of prehospital airway management.  

REFERENCES:
1. Driver BE, Prekker ME, Reardon RF, Sandefur BJ, April MD, Walls RM, Brown CA 3rd. Success and Complications of the Ketamine-Only Intubation Method in the Emergency Department. J Emerg Med. 2021 Mar;60(3):265-272.

Episode 167 - Ketamine Only Intubations With Dr. Andrew Partain

Applied EKG interpretation is often a difficult task in EMS and emergency medicine education. Getting bogged down in minutiae can obscure the patient. While an understanding of EKG foundational physiology is an absolute must, consideration of how to combine the 12-lead and patient presentation is vital as well. Join the podcast crew as they start at the end with the killer/"can't miss" EKG patterns and combine those with common chief complaints. Hopefully, this framework will click for you.

REFERENCES
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXh8PS9dtmo

2. Walker P, Jenkins CA, Hatcher J, Freeman C, Srica N, Rosell B, Hanna E, March C, Seamens C, Storrow A, McCoin N. 2022. Seamens’ Sign: a novel electrocardiogram prediction tool for left ventricular hypertrophy. PeerJ 10:e13548

Episode 166 - The MCHD EKG Manifesto - Part 1

We've spent countless hours (rightfully so) discussing ischemic stroke management over the past several years. Sometimes, the other 20% of strokes, the hemorrhagic version, can get neglected. No, we don't have stroke-mobiles at MCHD to diagnose an ICH in the field, but there are some patient care keys to emphasize for EMS when we suspect non-traumatic, acute intracranial bleeding.

REFERENCES
1. Qureshi AI, Palesch YY, Barsan WG, Hanley DF, Hsu CY, Martin RL, Moy CS, Silbergleit R, Steiner T, Suarez JI, Toyoda K, Wang Y, Yamamoto H, Yoon BW; ATACH-2 Trial Investigators and the Neurological Emergency Treatment Trials Network. Intensive Blood-Pressure Lowering in Patients with Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage. N Engl J Med. 2016 Sep 15;375(11):1033-43. 

2. Zeiler FA, Sader N, West M, Gillman LM. Sodium Bicarbonate for Control of ICP: A Systematic Review. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2018 Jan;30(1):2-9.

Episode 165 - Intracerebral Hemorrhage

MCHD's POCUS program has definitely involved both forward progress and lessons learned. In this episode, we'll discuss some of the reasons POCUS can be a game changer in the prehospital setting. However, unintended consequences do exist. We've begun to make the move to utilizing carotid ultrasound in OHCA, and we'll tell you exactly why.

REFERENCES
1.	Badra K, Coutin A, Simard R, Pinto R, Lee JS, Chenkin J. The POCUS pulse check: A randomized controlled crossover study comparing pulse detection by palpation versus by point-of-care ultrasound. Resuscitation. 2019 Jun;139:17-23.
2.	Kang SY, Jo IJ, Lee G, Park JE, Kim T, Lee SU, Hwang SY, Shin TG, Kim K, Shim JS, Yoon H. Point-of-care ultrasound compression of the carotid artery for pulse determination in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Resuscitation. 2022 Oct;179:206-213. 
3.	Clattenburg EJ, Wroe P, Brown S, Gardner K, Losonczy L, Singh A, Nagdev A. Point-of-care ultrasound use in patients with cardiac arrest is associated prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation pauses: A prospective cohort study. Resuscitation. 2018 Jan;122:65-68.
4.	Clattenburg EJ, Wroe PC, Gardner K, Schultz C, Gelber J, Singh A, Nagdev A. Implementation of the Cardiac Arrest Sonographic Assessment (CASA) protocol for patients with cardiac arrest is associated with shorter CPR pulse checks. Resuscitation. 2018 Oct;131:69-73.
5.	Ochoa FJ, Ramalle-Gómara E, Carpintero JM, García A, Saralegui I. Competence of health professionals to check the carotid pulse. Resuscitation. 1998 Jun;37(3):173-5. 
6.	Zengin S, Gümüşboğa H, Sabak M, Eren ŞH, Altunbas G, Al B. Comparison of manual pulse palpation, cardiac ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasonography to check the pulse in cardiopulmonary arrest patients. Resuscitation. 2018 Dec;133:59-64.

Episode 164 - EMS HOCUS POCUS

MCHD paramedic Wes Hall joins the podcast crew to discuss a recent seemingly mundane back pain call. Please listen to find out how avoidance of premature closure, a thorough exam, and professional patient advocacy led to an excellent outcome in a SCARY case.

REFERENCES
1. https://www.mchd-tx.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Image-Episode-163.jpg

Episode 80 - Serial Killer Series - Shortness of Breath

Download our free app to listen on your phone