Critical Levels
On this month’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Bonnie Snyder to discuss BVM as well her recently published paper in Resuscitation: Association of small adult ventilation bags with return of spontaneous circulation in out of hospital cardiac arrest. During the episode, you’ll hear us cover: There is nothing basic about the BVM - it is not a benign intervention Rate and volume based on the guidelines Consequences of excessive rate/volume Consequences of under ventilation General airway management positioning suction airway adjuncts mask seal C-E...
info_outline Pediatric Cardiac Arrest - Dr. Janice TijssenCritical Levels
On this month’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Janice Tijssen to discuss pediatric cardiac arrest. During the episode, you’ll hear us cover: The importance of our early interventions What is cardiac arrest incidence/epidemiology etiology risk factors/past medical history outcomes sociodemographics Differences between adult and pediatric cardiac arrest Simplifying our response Symptomatic bradycardia The importance of scene time The importance of CPR/ventilation IV vs IO, SGA vs ETT Epinephrine PRIME study Family presence during arrest Disposition
info_outline Suboxone - Dr Louisa Marion-BellemareCritical Levels
On this month’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Louisa Marion-Bellemare to discuss Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) and managing patients who use illicit and controlled drugs. During the episode, you’ll hear us cover: history of the drug crisis lay of the land of the current drug crisis historical treatments opiate pharmacology healthcare utilization stigma suboxone use patient advocacy
info_outline Wilderness Medicine - Matt SmithCritical Levels
On this month's episode, we chat with Matt Smith about wilderness medicine. As we shift from a high resource to a low resource setting, there are 3 main concepts to consider: - Ideal to real - High risk to low risk - Stable to unstable These concepts are important as we shift our practice and prepare ourselves. For this patient context, we need to focus on the things we can't replace, and learn to manage that. Our approach to these patients need to be algorithmic, and focus on doing the basics well. Two mnemonics (H-E-M-P; A-B-C-D-E) are presented to help with our...
info_outline Episode 35 - ACS - Dr. Jesse McLarenCritical Levels
On this month’s episode, we discuss acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with Dr. Jess McLaren We define ACS, we cover pathophysiology, and some common causes. Importantly we discuss the assessment of this patient population - paying attending to both objective and subjectives signs and symptoms. We spend some time talking about electrocardiograms, and perhaps most importantly, we chat about the management of this patient.
info_outline Anaphylaxis - Drs. Hendin & LanoueCritical Levels
info_outline A Dive Into Drowning - Dr. James GilbertsonCritical Levels
On this episode, we’re joined by Dr. James Gilbertson with the Ottawa Hospital, and Cst. Caroline Gallant with The Ottawa Police Marine, Dive and Trails (MDT) Unit. We take a dive into drowning and cover: What drowning is The scale of the problem Drowning pathophysiology The medical management of drowning patients Prognostication Lastly, we speak to drowning prevention
info_outline Substance Use and the Paramedic Role - Jen BolsterCritical Levels
In British Columbia 7 people per day are dying as a result of a highly contaminated toxic supply of drugs. Since the announcement of the public health crisis related to illicit drug toxicity deaths in 2016 over 12,000 people have lost their lives. Despite previous misconceptions that the toxic drug crisis is confined to Vancouver’s lower mainland and the downtown east side, Jen is sounding the alarm that not a square inch of the province of BC has been unaffected by the crisis. Working on the frontlines of a provincial organization means every patient and every paramedic is being affected,...
info_outline No Statistical Difference - Dr. Ken MilneCritical Levels
“No statistical difference” On today’s episode of Critical Levels, we chat with Dr. Ken Milne of the Skeptics’ Guide to Emergency Medicine (; @thesgem). We start with a high-level discussion and literature and evidence, and then apply these concepts to ‘lyse’ and ‘bust’ some of the predominate prehospital myths. Find links to the primary literature on our website. We examine: 2:00 - The importance of primary literature 4:10 - Why? 10:10 – Literature, critically appraising articles, & levels of evidence 13:20 – Evidence Based Medicine 17:30 – Guidelines &...
info_outline Preparing Paramedics: Palliative Care - Cheryl Cameron Tyne LunnCritical Levels
Paramedics receive little education on grief and bereavement. As paramedicine integrates palliative approaches to care, it has become very apparent paramedics are under-prepared for the crucial role they play in supporting patients and families in grief and recognizing and responding to their own grief reactions. · MyGriefToolbox as one strategy and tool to address gaps in education/supports for paramedics · Importance of person, family and caregiver centered approach · Psychosocial support,...
info_outlineOn this month's episode, we chat with Matt Smith about wilderness medicine.
As we shift from a high resource to a low resource setting, there are 3 main concepts to consider:
- Ideal to real
- High risk to low risk
- Stable to unstable
These concepts are important as we shift our practice and prepare ourselves.
For this patient context, we need to focus on the things we can't replace, and learn to manage that.
Our approach to these patients need to be algorithmic, and focus on doing the basics well. Two mnemonics (H-E-M-P; A-B-C-D-E) are presented to help with our approach.
Lastly, hypothermia assessment and management is discussed.