Friday March 21 8:00am to 9:15am
Learning from the Past, Shaping a Brighter Future: Transformations in EMS
Donnie Woodyard, Jr | EMS Compact
1.0 Other Con-Ed
Take a deep dive into the fascinating history of Emergency Medical Services in the United States. From the groundbreaking 1966 White paper to the formation of the National Registry of EMTs in 1970, Donnie will explore the pivotal moments that shaped EMS as we know it. From the pioneers who laid the foundation, to the origins of the iconic EMS symbol and the lesser known stories behind it's evolution, to the stories, challenges, and innovations that got EMS to where it is today. And what about the future? Donnie will explore artificial intelligence (AI) and how it could re-shape EMS with predictive insights and lead to better patient outcomes. Join us as we explore that path that led us here; and the path of what is ahead for the profession.
DONNIE WOODYARD JR.,MAML, NRP,WP-C, the author of EMS in the United States: Fragmented Past, Future of Opportunity has a career in Emergency Medical Services spanning three decades. His journey started in high school when he volunteered as an EMT in Pearisburg, Virginia. This initial experience sparked his interest in EMS, leading him to become a Paramedic at the age of 19 upon graduating from Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. Pursuing higher education, Donnie acquired another undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a Master's Degree in Management and Leadership from Liberty University. He is currently enrolled in the Executive Leaders Program at the Naval Postgraduate School, a certificate in AI in Healthcare at Harvard University, while concurrently working on his Doctorate degree in Public Administration.
In mass casualty incidents (MCIs), the number of patients often exceeds available medical resources, placing immense pressure on emergency responders. Basic Life Support (BLS) providers play a crucial role in such scenarios, where rapid decision-making, life-saving interventions, and efficient coordination are essential for maximizing patient survival. This presentation will explore the specific responsibilities of BLS providers in MCIs, focusing on their role in triage, patient care, and resource management. Key topics include scene safety, performing rapid triage using systems like START, and implementing essential BLS interventions such as airway management, hemorrhage control, and CPR. Attendees will also learn about working within the Incident Command System (ICS) to ensure a coordinated response, managing patient transport decisions, and prioritizing care based on available resources. Ethical considerations, such as balancing patient autonomy with resource allocation and the challenges of making life-and-death decisions, will also be discussed This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
We use many types of communication in our day-to-day lives, verbal, non-verbal. written, and visual. However, when we pick up the radio or cell phone to call medical command to discuss a patient we are limited solely to verbal communication and the physician on the other end of the call does not have the advantage of seeing the patient which puts them at a significant disadvantage. This often presents challenges and may lead to unmet expectations on both sides of the conversation. It may be difficult to paint the clinical picture and effectively communicate the situation to obtain orders to allow for continued patient care. In this presentation we will discuss some of the challenges that may occur on both ends of the phone and some techniques that may be helpful in facilitating these crucial patient care conversations. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Respiratory complaints are a common call for EMS, and some of the sickest calls involve these patients. Often, we throw every therapy we have at them, but is this really the best for our patients? In this interactive lecture, we'll go over a thoughtful approach to these patients, honing a diagnosis, and offering tailored approaches to therapy to improve outcomes. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the use of tourniquets stateside have become more and more popular. In fact, the Stop The Bleed Campaign has become increasingly popular. What is the best time and place to use tourniquets? Are there viable alternatives? What can we do better and what can we expect in the future when it comes to control of massive exsanguinating hemorrhage? Dr. Allen will explore the current use and future of tourniquets. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
EMS providers spend countless hours training to ensure the ability to provide compassionate and professional care to patients that depend on us in our communities. Many times we experience patient encounters that are routine, and quality care is provided in a predictable manner. At some point, providers experience a patient with a history, medication list and diagnosis that we did not know existed. The program will help you understand what rare diseases are, how to process assessment finding and improve communication to treat patients with rare diseases. This topic will be presented by two EMS providers that are educators living with rare autoimmune diseases, who are passionate about increasing awareness and advocacy to EMS providers caring for these patients. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Has anyone ever had a call that they really had a hard time dealing with? Add to that a few extra shifts that did not play out like they were supposed to, as well as adding a call or two that affected you the same way. How many people were told, this is what EMS is, either you can deal with it, or you can get out of it? Maybe this was just ingrained into our heads long ago, but it is still seen that way today, even though there are ways to help cope with it. This presentation will discuss stress, burnout, PTSD, and how there are some common good and bad ways to help overcome the boundaries that they establish. There will also be examples of how this affected me both physically and mentally as well as why I believe it is a subject that should not go unnoticed. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Confused about advanced directives? Unclear on when they can be followed? Feeling unsure about end of life? You're not alone! Studies show that EMS providers report suboptimal training on these topics, making these stressful situations more difficult to navigate. This presentation will dive into the confusing terminology of advanced directives, define the differences between palliative care and hospice care as it relates to EMS care, identify treatments for end-of-life symptom management, and discuss the natural progression of signs and symptoms as one gets closer to death. Additionally, we will review the current state protocols related to out of hospital no not resuscitate and death on arrival, discuss important religious considerations, and identify tips and tricks for death notifications and discuss self-care. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
There are approximately 40,000 out-of-hospital births in the United States every year, which account for about 1% of total deliveries. Approximately one quarter of these out-of-hospital births are unplanned or unattended. Because deliveries occur so infrequently in the prehospital setting, initial effort should be directed toward getting the mother quickly to a hospital with obstetric and gynecological care. In cases where there is not enough time to transport the mother to the appropriate facility, timely EMS intervention is crucial. Increased perinatal mortality and morbidity for both neonate and mother have been associated with unplanned prehospital deliveries. EMS providers can assuage these risks with frequent training in delivery technique and mitigation of common delivery complications. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Come learn about strategies and techniques for improvising splints in a wilderness setting with the materials you have. A comprehensive review of splinting technique translated from the hospital practice to remote practice. Also learn about what to expect when organizing and executing an evacuation over unimproved terrain, and how to function on a litter team. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Hundreds of departments statewide operate a Quick Response Service (QRS) program to assist with medical emergencies and an even greater number of EMS providers may find themselves on scene alone at some point in their career. This session will highlight evidence-based interventions and assessments that can be performed by a QRS or First Responder provider within the first few minutes of patient contact, with a primary focus on the BLS level but also recognizing the growing number of Intermediate ALS and ALS enabled QRS teams. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
This session aims to improve the confidence, competency, and communication skills of EMS personnel in death notification. This presentation reviews strategies and techniques for providing death notifications following field termination. Additionally, this session focuses on family presence during resuscitation and special considerations such as pediatric patients. Additionally, general topics surrounding grief will be reviewed (e.g., grief phases, recognition of grief, etc.), legal issues, and cultural and religious beliefs essential in our diverse and multicultural society. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Ultrasound is a mainstay of Emergency Medicine in the Emergency Department. Are there applications in the field? Some EMS agencies have begun to incorporate POCUS or Point Of Care Ultrasound. The uses for this technology are varied and show potential clinical and diagnostic value pre-hospital, though further investigation is needed. Come learn about the science and applications of POCUS in EMS. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
This presentation will review the basics of end tidal CO2, including what it means and what it is measuring. It will review state protocols that require end tidal CO2 monitoring as well as situations where end tidal CO2 may be useful. It will also discuss the limitations and how ETCO2 and PaCO2 are not always equal This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
TBA This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
This session will review lessons learned from over a decade of prehospital activations at 7 STEMI Receiving Centers in Southwestern PA. We will review key challenges and opportunities for the care of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, including an emphasis on identifying ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Common mimics leading to cancelled activations will also be reviewed. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Pediatric cardiac arrest, although rare, the outcomes are typically poor. Less than 10% of pediatric patients survive cardiac arrest, and only a third of those who survive will have a good neurological outcome. Despite major improvements in adult cardiac arrest survivability, pediatric rates of survival remain relatively fixed. This lecture will help you identify the key causes of pediatric cardiac arrest and how to be able to best manage pediatric cardiac arrest in the field. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
A father and son's journey outlining WHAT emergency care and EMS can teach you about life and HOW to best fine tune your medical knowledge in today's fast paced, high-tech EMS world. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
"Understanding the EMS Compact: Changing the Landscape of Interstate Licensure" offers an in-depth exploration of the EMS Compact, a transformative initiative that enables nearly 400,000 EMS clinicians to practice across 24 member states with a single Home State license. This session will provide attendees with a clear understanding of how the EMS Compact is revolutionizing interstate licensure, addressing workforce recruitment and retention challenges, and ensuring high standards of care. By examining the Compact's history, structure, and purpose, participants will gain valuable insights into its role as both state law and a multi-state agreement. The presentation will highlight the Compact's significant impact on state licensure requirements, local credentialing processes, and the broader regulatory landscape. Attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the practical and legal aspects of the EMS Compact, including its benefits for clinicians, employers, regulators, and the public. This session is essential for agency leaders, educators, and EMS professionals seeking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
The course will be about suffering and surviving an out of hospital cardiac arrest. The course will touch on the moments leading up to my cardiac event, touch on the care that I received from EMS to my discharge from AGH 10 days later, and the follow up care that I am still receiving. I will touch on the struggles that I have had since that time, the survivors' guilt, the anxiety and mostly the fear of the unknown. I will talk about the resources we have at our disposal and coping mechanisms that I have found that are working for me. I will also talk about the lifestyle changes that I have made in the wake of this event. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
One of the most common reasons people call 911 is for pain, and there's a lot we can do to help. This lecture will talk about the different types of pain control at our disposal (many of which DON'T need an IV), reasons why we historically undertreat pain prehospitally, and some pros and cons of the medications we carry. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
TBA This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
In this lecture we will discuss a brief background and history of the EMS blood programs. It will also cover the protocols and the requirements needed to carry blood. The discussions also explains the policy, procedures and operational aspect of carrying and deploying the blood. Will also provide case examples of EMS prehospital blood administration. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
The Uwchlan Ambulance Corps Juniors Program, the largest youth EMS organization in the northeastern United States, is dedicated to empowering young people (ages 14-18) to become skilled and compassionate emergency medical professionals. Through rigorous training programs, we certify ambulance aides and junior EMTs, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide vital pre-hospital care. Our program goes beyond initial certifications--each month, we offer continual education and hands-on activities to ensure our juniors stay updated on the latest knowledge and developments in the field. Additionally, we host and participate in several community events throughout the year, providing opportunities to integrate EMS into the community. We emphasize the importance of building strong relationships between youth and experienced EMS personnel, fostering mutual learning and respect. We cover the importance of community events as they help familiarize the public with emergency medicine, educate them about EMS, and highlight its vital role in public safety. We discuss how by investing in these young individuals, we are not only shaping their futures but also strengthening our communities and enhancing emergency medical services throughout the country. We discuss how to work with youth and foster the youth and EMS personnel relationship. We discuss through statistics how youth in EMS impacts our public safety system as a whole. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
EMS vehicles travel on roadways filled with aggressive, distracted or other types of terrible civilian drivers. Let's face it, common sense ain't that common. EMS vehicle operators must remain vigilant of potentially hazardous situations on the road around them. This seminar will outline defensive driving techniques that can be immediately applied to improve the safety of EMS vehicle operations. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Posterior circulation strokes account for 20% (1 out of 5) of ischemic strokes, but may present differently to their anterior circulation counterparts. Patients may not exhibit unilateral facial weakness, speech disturbances and unilateral limb weakness, but instead present with more vague symptoms of sudden headache, dizziness, loss of balance and visual problems. Is it acceptable to miss 1 out of 5 strokes? This session will quickly take EMS providers through the 5 D's of posterior strokes for quick recognition regardless of the stroke exam utilized within their community. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
This session will discuss the differences in mechanism of injury, injury patterns and management in pediatric trauma. It will review pediatric anatomy and how/when pediatric trauma injuries differ from adults. It will review more common injury patterns, pediatric shock, and how management of pediatric trauma differs from adults, both prehospital and on the initial trauma assessment. This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as a life-saving intervention for patients experiencing refractory cardiac arrest, offering a new dimension in prehospital resuscitation. This lecture will explore the growing role of prehospital ECMO, examining how this advanced technology can significantly improve survival rates in cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We will review the physiological rationale for early ECMO implementation, focusing on its ability to provide circulatory and respiratory support during critical moments when conventional resuscitation fails. Attendees will gain insight into the operational challenges of deploying ECMO in the field, from logistical considerations and patient selection criteria to the training required for prehospital teams. Real-world case studies and the latest clinical data will be presented, highlighting the transformative impact of ECMO in prehospital settings and how it could shape the future of cardiac arrest care. Join us to explore the cutting edge of emergency medicine and the potential to save lives through early and strategic use of ECMO. This session will be focused on the ALS level but all EMS providers are welcome and will receive con-ed.
Information coming
Have you ever had a partner insinuate that your agency has a ton of money but refuses to spend it or heard similar comments floating around the office? Prepare to be enlightened in this upcoming presentation as we delve into the world of EMS finance. While the financial aspects of EMS may not be the most exciting topic for you as a clinician, it is crucial for everyone in the system to grasp these concepts in order to address and rectify the issues at hand. By increasing awareness among the public and local and state officials, we can work towards creating positive change. Don't let ignorance be your downfall - educate yourself on the business side of EMS through this crash course. Become a strong advocate for EMS and take the first step towards earning the raise you truly deserve! This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Sure your protocols are up to date? Think you should keep the limb above the heart? Know what common treatments are myths needing to be broken? We will jump right into the most up to date Dos & Do Nots for snakebite envenomation from the physician for Venom 1 himself, who's first snakebite he saw treated was a cobra bite in Pittsburgh. Do you know what to do? This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.
Everyday, EMS clinicians encounter dialysis patients. Arguably, dialysis patients may be some of the sickest we encounter, based upon their underlying physiology, chronic disease state, and fragile vasculature. Join me as we explore the underlying causes for dialysis, how the dialyzation process works, and the most common medical emergencies that occur in the dialysis patient! This session is appropriate for all EMS levels.