In the field Archives

Are you aware of the emotional care bariatric patients need

As pre-hospital providers, we must develop and express additional plans in the event our original strategies fail to empathize with bariatric patients. Our ability to do this will provide an added sense of security and empowerment to their treatment, which may be something they never experienced in a medical setting.

How autonomic dysreflexia and hypertension connect

Autonomic dysreflexia is a medical emergency. Hypertension in a patient with a spinal injury is autonomic dysreflexia until proven otherwise. If you can treat the cause quickly, you can prevent some diseases that have high associated morbidity and mortality rates.

The long spine board isn’t going away and shouldn’t

I was teaching a class a few months ago and a student said his agency had completely removed long spine boards from service. I was floored. The long spine board is needed for spinal immobilization as well as other emergency uses.

Can you get popcorn lung from vaping? Most likely

There is yet to be a known case of popcorn lung as a result of e-cigarette smoking because vaping is so new. However, there is strong indication that vaping e-juice with diacetyl, pentanedone and acetoin could lead to the condition over time.

Get on board with two-person bag mask ventilation

If you are working for a volunteer department and you are the only person on scene, you clearly have an argument that you don’t have the manpower. If you work for a paid rural service, you do. Let's explore why we need to worry about two-person bag mask ventilation.

Frostbite season is upon us. Stay safe!

This time of year, as pre-hospital providers go forth to save lives, cold-related injuries such as frostbite should be top of mind. Learn how to avoid frostbite while caring for patients in the extreme cold.

Mild hypothyroidism may be over treated

One of the most common endocrine disorders is hypothyroidism. But there is evidence to support the idea that mild hypothyroidism is over treated by family physicians.

Time to reassess fluids for chronic heart failure patients

While the topic remains up for debate as to exactly how much fluid these patients should have, there is supportive evidence to allow for a moderate intake for chronic heart failure patients, since the fluid overload is not within the systemic circulation.

Weather events increase carbon monoxide exposure risk

We are likely going to be on high alert for carbon monoxide poisoning during times of power outages, but there are some things we can keep in mind as we assess the situation for safety.

Patient safety challenges our healthcare system

Despite the increase in sound healthcare practices, there is still a high number of injuries to patients. If we approach every single patient with safety in mind, we will be less likely to skip important steps.