EMS CAST: Podcast – HIGH LEVEL EDUCATION WITH PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Learn what they didn't teach you in paramedic school

A podcast for EMS providers, we cover topics in more depth than you learned in paramedic school and connect this all back to the guiding principle of what actually matters to you the provider in the field.

“Wish I could give 6 stars. These guys are the Bob Ross of emergency care.”

Shangsnek

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About Us

Ross Orpet, MD

A board certified emergency medicine physician practicing in Colorado, I completed my residency at Denver Health Medical Center, as well as a fellowship in Emergency Medical Services. I got my start in emergency medicine working as a paramedic at the Denver Health Paramedic Division..

Will Berry, FP-C, NR-P

I have worked in EMS for 13 years and caught the bug to be involved in emergency response after working as a wilderness guide in Colorado. Most of my career was with the Denver Health Paramedic Division where I spent several years as a Lieutenant. I am currently a practicing critical care paramedic in North Carolina.

What People Are Saying

Great Podcast!

“I have been a nurse for 10 years, most of that in the emergency department. The information on this podcast is not only helpful for paramedics, but applies to ER nursing as well! I always encourage our new nurses and experienced nurses to listen to this podcast!”

Shane G33

08/31/2023

Great For First Responders

“Paramedic of 3 years here. This is the podcast I keep coming back to. I get a great mix of in-depth information beyond my scope as well as lots of practical information for me as a provider in the field.”

Rjbaker022

07/06/2023

Most Recent Episode Breakdowns

Unlocking Syncope: A Harbinger of Hidden Perils, Differentiating Benign from Life-Threatening Causes

Syncope, is a symptom that many emergency medical personnel encounter. It's sometimes tricky to differentiate from seizures, and it's essential to understand that syncope is

Invisible Scars: The Battle for Mental Health in EMS – PATH4EMS

Let's discuss the pressing issue of mental health among first responders, particularly within the EMS community. Will gets vulnerable and shares a personal story of

Wide Complex Tachycardia: Get Comfortable With Uncertainty

Learn a systematic approach to management of wide complex tachycardia that doesn't rely on exact rhythm identification or scoring systems with guest Dr. Kevin Butler.

From Novice to Navigator: Mastering the Art of EMS Field Training

Joined by Josh, Cody, and Moose from the AlertMedicOne podcast, we explore key principles of good training, leadership, and the importance of making mistakes in

The Difference Between Equal and Equitable Care

Explore the crucial distinction between providing equal care versus equitable care within emergency medical services (EMS). We give you an in-depth discussion with Ritu Sani

Life Over Limb: Field Amputation, Preparing For The Unthinkable

Dr. Avery McKenzie interviews Dr. Eric Adler, regional medical director for Flight for Life, about the challenging and rare procedure of field amputations. They discuss

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EMS Cast: Advanced Continuing Education for Paramedics, EMTs & Prehospital Care Providers

Paramedic training is over, you’re in the front seat now. Whether day 1 or day 1,000 you can’t shake the fear you’re underprepared. You were taught to systematically decide if A… do B. But what if “A” wasn’t in the book? The truth is each emergency call is too unique to teach the right response to every situation. We need to go beyond algorithmic thinking and understand deeper principles, the WHY behind the algorithm. When every decision counts you want to rely on a framework that will guide you when things don’t make sense. EMS cast is your resource to build that framework. Through discussions with experts, review of evidence-based best practices, and real-world case studies we teach you one step past what you learned in paramedic school. But all of this advanced education is connected back to the guiding principles that answer the question- “at the end of the day, what actually matters to the patient I have in front of me?” Our mission is to elevate your practice and help you improve patient outcomes in every emergency situation. You may not feel ready, you may not feel like you know enough, but by understanding the guiding principles of emergency medicine you can become an expert EMS clinician. Because what you do matters.

Syncope is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Often it’s a symptom of a benign etiology but it can indicate a life-threatening condition. So how do we distinguish between the two? We dive into the complex topic of syncope with guest Matt Mendes. We discuss the importance of recognizing syncope, differentiating it from seizures, and identifying who are the high-risk patients and why. The episode covers the guiding principles syncope- a good history, physical exam findings, and the ECG. It also delves into common presentations, risk stratifying strategies, and real-world cases to equip EMS providers with the knowledge needed to manage syncope calls effectively.

00:00 Intro
01:07 Welcome to EMS Cast, host and guest introductions
04:51 Guiding Principles for Syncope Assessment
07:22 High-Risk Syncope Patients
09:14 Initial Approach to Syncope Patients
15:15 Syncope vs. Seizure
20:08 Physical Exam and EKG Importance
25:14 Identifying Arrhythmias in Syncope Patients
26:37 Understanding Wolf Parkinson White Disease
27:46 QT Prolongation and Its Implications
29:49 Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Its Risks
31:28 Recognizing Brugada Pattern
32:02 Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia
33:04 Bifascicular Block and Its Dangers
35:00 EKG Interpretation and Syncope Risk Stratification
39:53 Emergency Department Workups for Syncope
55:49 Case Studies and Memorable Syncope Calls

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