Mercy EMS Podcast

Dr. Tom Lewis and EMS Educator Eric Howard discuss the H-bombs of head injury including hypotension, hypoxia and hyperventilation that worsen pateint outcomes.

Dr. Tom Lewis and Deputy Director Luke Walker discuss the classes of antiemetics and a old/new tool to use for nausea and vomiting.

Dr. Tom Lewis talks with Tom Vandeburg from the Greene County Coroners office about gunshot wounds. Tom discusses some of the myths and reality with Mercy EMS Medical Director.

Dr. Tom Lewis MD and Dawn Day RN discuss human trafficking. Awareness in human trafficking will likely save lives. Dawn details statistics, typical presentations, scene survey and ways for EMS to identify human trafficking in our operations.

Dr. Tom Lewis discusses the weak and dizzy patient and one of the possibilities we must consider. Hyperkalemia is often difficult to diagnose in the prehospital setting. Considering the diagnosis in patients with the setting of weakness, syncope, fatigue or even arrest is crucial in the survival or chance of survival for these patients.

Dr. Tom Lewis and Deputy Director Luke Walker discuss what draws people to EMS. The variable days, helping the community, the excitement and the sense of belonging to something greater than yourself. They include excerpts from various paramedics and EMT's on what makes EMS so enjoyable and some of the difficulties in our profession.

Dr. Tom Lewis MD and Dr. Chuck Sheppard MD discuss the differences of IV fluids and fluid concentrations. They also discuss case examples and reasons to use specific fluids in certain patients for better outcomes. The variety of fluids including Lactated Ringers, normal saline and now the more reasonable cost of plasmalyte and normasol makes choosing the right fluid for pre-hospital care more complex. Our hope is to clear up some of the confusion.

Dr. Lewis and Dr. Sheppard discuss the upright intubation and lessons learned from previous cases as well as the literature behind this innovative technique. Consider upright intubation for your next difficult airway.

Dr. Tom Lewis and Matt Benzen from Life Line discuss HEMS or Air Medical Safety and setting up landing zones for medical helicopters. Most air medical services in the country have similar safety procedures and a general working knowledge of landing zones and safety considerations keep our patients safer, help keep us safer and help us serve our community, both EMS and first responders. http://mercyems.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Landing-Zone-poster.pdf

Dr. Lewis and Matt Benzen discuss the concept of "sterile cockpit" and how it applies to the EMS world and ground operations. This is the concept of focusing on the mission at hand: great patient care and safe transport for all involved. The idle chit chat has to stop when the call is dropped and all focus is on our safe operation of our vehicle, the care of our patients and the safety of our community.