MCHD Paramedic Podcast

One of our major 2026 clinical and educational focus areas here at MCHD is medication error reduction. While medication errors are complex and have no simple solution, recognizing the issue is the initial step in changing culture. We're lucky to have a special guest with a unique perspective on this episode. Kevin Mercer, an emergency department pharmacist, joins Dr. Patrick to discuss all things medication administration. The episode went so well, we had to create a two-part series!

REFERENCES
1. Harmer BM, Hoyle JD Jr, Edwards A, Fredericks T, Wells L, Lecznar A, Christopher K, Dunwoody S, Hong G, Rantz W, Popov V, Mahajan P, Fogarty K. Assessing the Influence of a Statewide Dosing Reference Aid on Prehospital Pediatric Medication Dosing Errors: A Mixed-Methods Simulation-Based Investigation. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2026 Mar 9:1-8.

As discussed on prior episodes, we recently overhauled our entire protocol structure here at MCHD. One of our MCHD paramedics, David Lozano, joins us to discuss the foundations of EMS protocol creation. Who writes them and how? Where are the potentially risky decisions? What should the MCHD field paramedics know about the process? Have a listen to better understand the true foundation of EMS clinical practice.

The most common podcast requests over the past couple of years have been focused on prehospital geriatric care. Dr. Maia Dorsett, EMS geriatric expert, joins us to discuss pearls and pitfalls when caring for elderly patients in the prehospital setting. What are the common mistakes? What tools can be implemented to improve patient outcomes? Why does geriatric care even matter? This episode is packed with high-yield information that will make all of us better clinicians.

REFERENCES
1. Dorsett M, Allen H, Garbacz H, Sensenbach B, Kumar S, Jones CMC, Cushman JT. Timeline for Repeat EMS Encounters Resulting in Transport Following "Lift Assist" in a Suburban EMS System. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2025 May 29:1-6.

2. Haussner WK, Breyre AM, Bascombe K, Barrett WJ, Camacho MA, Overton-Harris P, Williams S, Lyng JW, Martin-Gill C, Colwell C. Prehospital Trauma Compendium: Management of Geriatric Trauma Patients - A Position Statement and Resource Document of NAEMSP. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2025 Sep 25:1-10.

There are always airway management questions floating around the Department of Clinical Services here at MCHD. "Why can't we take a look after sedation only?" "Why doesn't MCHD have a crash airway protocol?" Join the podcast crew to discuss recent EMS airway literature that helps us answer these questions and provides invaluable tips. This is part two of a two-part series.

REFERENCES
1. Jarvis JL, Jarvis SE, Kennel J. The Association Between Out-of-Hospital Drug-Assisted Airway Management Approach and Intubation First-Pass Success. Ann Emerg Med. 2025 Nov;86(5):521-530.

2. Spigner MF, Wang HE, Carlson JN. One and Done? Rethinking "First-Pass Success" in Out-of-Hospital Airway Management. Ann Emerg Med. 2025 Nov;86(5):531-532.

3. Maia IWA, Besen BAMP, Silva LOJE, et al; BARCO group. Peri-intubation adverse events and clinical outcomes in emergency department patients: the BARCO study. Crit Care. 2025 Apr 17;29(1):155.

Recently, some paramedics, obstetricians, and EMS medical directors were locked in a room and produced some fantastic collaborative prehospital guidelines for managing post-partum hemorrhage, eclampsia, and pre-eclampsia. Have a listen, take a look at the guidelines (links below), and we'll all take better care of our pregnant/post-partum patients.

REFERENCES
1. https://naemsp.org/news/now-available-new-ems-obstetric-emergency-guidelines/