Hematological disorders are rare in the prehospital arena; however, it is important to understand the physiology behind these disease states. Increased knowledge will enable healthcare providers to conduct an improved assessment and better understand treatment for those patients.
Student Topics, Tips and Tricks
You’re required to learn and remember massive amounts of clinical information. Our Tips and Tricks are a series of articles and great tools to reinforce that material and help you remember it when it counts. From clinical insights to test preparation tips, you’ll learn more here.
Back To The Basics: Burns
By Chris Ebright “Anything will burn with enough gasoline and dynamite.” – Robert Heinlein When a patient is severely burned, it changes their life. Not only in that moment, but for years to come. Annually, over two million people in the U.S. are treated for burns, and fortunately, the majority are not considered life […]
Back to the Basics: Chest Trauma
By Chris Ebright Welcome to another edition of Back to the Basics! This time around, I thought I’d discuss chest trauma. The reason being, injuries to this part of the body are the second most common traumatic injury, and come with the highest cases of patient mortality; in some studies, up to sixty percent.5 You […]
Back To The Basics: Hematology
Hematology: the subject in EMT or paramedic school where you thought, “Why do I need to know this?” I am even willing to admit it is not one of my favorite sections to teach. Interestingly though, one of the consistent issues is that many patients with a hematological disorder have complicated medical histories. As such, when they experience an acute exacerbation, their condition requires EMS professionals to perform a more thorough-than-normal assessment and physical exam. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of these diseases, early recognition, and prompt transport can reduce patient morbidity and mortality.
Back to the Basics: Pediatric Trauma
EMS professionals must consider the unique pediatric trauma victims’ anatomy and physiology during the interim treatment and transport. How do these differences from adults influence the findings during a trauma assessment and then dictate the ensuing management? Let’s take a closer look.
Back To The Basics: Snakebites
The percentage of venomous snakes is small compared to the number of non-venomous species. It is still not very comforting, but it makes it less likely you will encounter a snake-bitten patient who has been envenomated. That being said, let’s explore some information regarding the varieties of North American venomous snakes.
Back To The Basics: That Gut Feeling
By Chris Ebright “The key to faking out the parents is the clammy hands. It’s a good non-specific symptom. I’m a big believer in it. Many people will tell you that a good phony fever is a deadlock, but you get a nervous mother, you could wind up in a doctor’s office. That’s worse than […]
Back To The Basics: Ventilation V. Respiration
By Chris Ebright You were taught from day one of taking vital signs to count respirations. However, I am here to say that your stellar EMT instructor let you down because she/he was wrong. The same incorrect terminology is also written in numerous textbooks, on run reports, and spoken everyday between medical professionals. So now you’re […]
Case Study: Postpartum Emergencies
By Chris Ebright Ah childbirth—the miracle of life. Some EMS professionals may make several calls in which they place “storks” on their preverbal career belts, while others will never get the chance. In actuality, most emergencies and maternal deaths occur after childbirth, during the postpartum period, according to the World Health Organization. Rapid change is […]
Compartment Syndrome: A Case Study
By Christopher Ebright Case You are called to a scene where a skier has fallen. The male patient is in moderate distress and complaining of lower left leg pain. Assessing the limb, you see there is a closed tibia/fibula fracture with obvious deformity. Noticeable swelling, when compared to the right leg, is observed. Additionally, a […]