MCHD Paramedic Podcast

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, Pre

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 m

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.

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, P

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

We recently made a significant vasopressor protocol change at MCHD, prioritizing norepinephrine in all shock situations except anaphylaxis and bradycardia. The evidence supporting norepinephrine in septic and even cariogenic shock is relatively solid. However, recent data has emerged suggesting norepinephrine may be safer in post-ROSC shock as well. REFERENCES 1. Bougouin W, Sliman

MCHD District Chief April Currie joins the podcast crew to discuss an angioedema case that repeatedly left more questions than answers. Dr. Patrick was tasked with managing the airway and definitely has some lessons learned to share with the listeners.

The podcast crew dives deep into one of the early "STEMI equivalent" ECG patterns: ST elevation in aVR with diffuse ST depression. What does the evidence say about this pattern? Is there a FOAM lesson to be learned? How should we incorporate this ECG into our practice? REFERENCES 1. Harhash AA, Huang JJ, Reddy S, Natarajan B, Balakrishnan M, Shetty R, Hutchinson MD, Kern KB. aVR ST

Dr. Dickson leads the discussion with recent cases involving the PECARN pediatric head injury decision rule and some super sneaky toxicology. There is some high-level detective work happening during this episode. Listen so you don't miss vital clues in your clinical practice. REFERENCES 1. Kuppermann N, Holmes JF, Dayan PS, et al; Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (

The podcast crew is joined by MCHD In-Charge Paramedics, Ben Breaux, and Jesus Contreras to discuss a critical case that demonstrates why continuing education and intentional mental reps are vital in emergency care. We've discussed the "how-to" when approaching the crashing tracheostomy patient. Let's add an actual MCHD case and a little review on top of that previous foundation. R