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How To Use this Site for Education and To Get Continuing Education Credits

Submitted by Dr. B on July 28, 2009

LearnMoreSaveLives produces EMS educational programs using live, webcast, and archived content. You may watch any of the content for free. If something we teach you helps you save a life, let us know. To get CECBEMS accredited continuing education hours, you need to purchase and take the quiz for the class. Please see the page "Get Continuing Education Here" for more information on how this works.

COPD and the Myth of the "Hypoxic Drive Mediated Sudden Hyperoxic Death Oh My!"

Submitted by Dr. B on June 2, 2009

Dear Dr. Busko
My question is regarding the use of high flow 02 in a patient with a Hx of COPD (Bronchitis or Emphysema) whom is acutely in respiratory distress. How often will this subsequently induce Hypoxic Drive in an emergency setting (if at all). We are taught never to with hold high-flow O2 in a patient that is distressed (cyanotic, pallor, accessory muscle use, poor O2 saturation), only to meet the occasional emerg nurse that pulls the standard face mask off the patient with the all-needed lecture to the paramedic.
Thanks!
Steve,
Paramedic, BC, Canada

Steve,
Thanks for an excellent question. We’ve all been there. 62 year old male, COPD history, respiratory distress with wheezing, sats in the high 80’s, we give him an albuterol neb (powered by oxygen at 15 LPM to really make it bubble) and the patient suddenly goes apneic and dies and it’s all our fault….

The Art of Medical Communications (Part 1 of 3: Talking Heads)

Submitted by Dr. B on May 19, 2009

Every medical provider gathers important information from and about patients. EMS providers in particular are in a unique position to identify and collect data that no one else in the patient’s chain of care can get. This information may lead EMS personnel to provide certain treatments or may influence the patient’s work-up in the emergency department or hospital.