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

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

The Untold Impact of EMS on Organ Donation: Transforming Tragedy into Hope

In this episode, we discuss the profound impact that one patient's organ donation can have on society. Even when not every patient gets to go

Values-Driven Leadership Within A Just Culture- Chris Pfingsten from EMS 20/20

Creating lasting behavioral changes in the workplace by moving beyond consequence-based policies. Chris discusses the importance of aligning personal and company values, highlighting 'just culture'

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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.

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. By understanding the physiology rather than memorizing a score or algorithm you can use Kevin’s approach and ABCD mnemonic to help differentiate between ventricular tachycardia, SVT with aberrancy, and other arrhythmias. Learn how not to miss the vital mimics with his SPAM filter. And finally by understanding which treatments are safe and which treatments potentially dangerous you can understand how to move forward even when you’re not exactly sure what the arrhythmia is. Whether you’re an EMT, paramedic, or emergency physician, this episode provides the essential principles and stepwise strategies to ensure effective and safe patient management.
00:00 Introduction to Arrhythmia Management
00:29 Personal Anecdote: Lessons from Paramedic School
02:04 Introducing Dr. Kevin Butler
02:16 Sponsor Message: The Recess Tailor
03:35 Welcome to EMS Cast
04:04 Understanding Wide Complex Tachycardia
05:37 Approach to Arrhythmia Management
07:02 Principles of Managing Wide Complex Tachycardia
08:39 Pathophysiology of Wide Complex Tachycardia
18:30 Identifying and Treating Mimics
26:55 Regular vs. Irregular Wide Complex Tachycardia
29:59 Understanding Torsades and Its Management
30:25 Identifying Atrial Fibrillation with Pre-Excitation
32:14 Treatment Considerations for AFib with WPW
35:02 Distinguishing Between VT and SVT with Aberrancy
37:09 Physiological Approach to ECG Interpretation
40:24 ABCD Mnemonic for VT Diagnosis
47:49 EMS Treatment Protocols for Wide Complex Tachycardia
51:54 Pre-Hospital Cardioversion Tips
55:22 Emergency Department Approach to Wide Complex Tachycardia
58:00 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Resources

Gear We Like

Good Stethoscope – https://amzn.to/3YJJrf2
Good Shears – https://amzn.to/40FROuF or https://amzn.to/3ChZ4Tn
Notepad for taking notes on calls – https://amzn.to/3Z1X21J
Sunglasses – https://frontline-optics.com/discount/EMSCAST15
Books we recommend –
- The Dichotomy of Leadership – https://amzn.to/4fiCAjN
- Extreme Ownership – https://amzn.to/3O1FWfa
- Managing the Unexpected: Sustained Performance in a Complex World – https://amzn.to/3V7BwYf
- Thinking Fast and Slow – https://amzn.to/4fiJG85
- A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic’s Wild Ride to the Edge and Back – https://amzn.to/3YJJrf2

Guest/Cast/Crew information-
Guest- Dr. Kevin Butler, Emergency Physician, Lead Instructor for DHREM’s EKG didactic curriculum
Host- Ross Orpet, Will Berry

Catch up with us after the show