The Power of a Simple Tool in High-Stakes Environments
Aviation transformed from a dangerous endeavor to the safest form of transportation through systematic approaches to human error. The checklist was central to this transformation, not because it eliminated the need for skill and judgment, but because it freed professionals to apply their expertise where it matters most. As paramedics, we face similar complexity and similar stakes. The question isn’t whether we’re capable professionals—we are. The question is whether we’re willing to adopt proven tools that help capable professionals perform even better when it matters most.
Prehospital Management of Upper GI Bleeds: A Guide for EMTs and Paramedics
In emergency medicine, few scenarios are as immediately concerning as arriving on scene to find a patient actively vomiting bright red blood. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding represents a unique challenge for EMS providers—these patients aren’t trauma victims, yet they’re bleeding like trauma patients. They require both the rapid intervention of trauma care and the thorough assessment of a medical patient. This guide breaks down the essential principles of managing an upper GI bleed in the prehospital setting, where your actions during those critical first minutes can significantly impact patient outcomes.