Diagnosis is a process all EMS providers must embrace if we want to thrive clinically. I believe more errors come from blowing the diagnosis and administering the wrong drug than from psychomotor errors in medication administration.
Assessment
10 Tips to Revive Your Patient Assessment
This top ten list comes from a popular EMT presentation Dan did about 10 years ago. Some things never change! #10: Don’t splint your patient to death. Multiple fractures = multiple trauma.
Ask Me Anything with Dan Limmer: Reading a NREMT Style Question
Part 2 of Dan’s “Ask Me Anything” series to help people prepare for the NREMT. Learn tips and tricks for reading a NREMT style question, test your knowledge on the questions provided and hear what your follow students are asking about!
Back To The Basics: Blood Disorders
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.
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: 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.
Body System Assessment
The attached exercise is designed to help students wrap their head around body system exams as a precursor to differential diagnostic decision-making.
Chest Pain and Discomfort
This exercise helps students with assessments in the chest pain patient and helps students begin to hone their differential diagnostic skills.
Classroom Patient Assessment Activity
There was a TV show called “What’s My Line” from the 1950s – the 1970s. I have memories of watching this show with my grandparents back then. The celebrity panel asked questions of people on the show to guess their occupation. Why am I writing about this old TV show? I was looking for a […]