Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the detection and management of the patient with a suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of the patient with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
2. Describe the standard treatment approach to the patient with a suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm.
3. Identify the different atypical presentations of a patient with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Abdominal Trauma
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the abdominal trauma victim. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of the injured abdominal trauma patient.
2. Describe the standard treatment approach to the abdominal trauma victim.
3. Identify some of the pitfalls when evaluating a patient with abdominal trauma.
Alcohol-Related Emergencies
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the alcohol-intoxicated patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of alcohol intoxication.
2. Understand the risks and potential pitfalls when caring for an intoxicated patient.
3. Identify various clinical scenarios that can mimic alcohol intoxication.
Altered Mental Status in the Elderly
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about altered mental status in the elderly patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Identify the many possible causes of altered mental status in the elderly patient.
2. Understand the standard pre-hospital treatment for altered mental status.
3. Evaluate and treat the acutely confused patient.
Anticholinergic Overdose
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the identification and management of the patient with anticholinergic toxicity. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of the patient with anticholinergic toxicity.
2. Describe the common presentations of patients with anticholinergic toxicity.
3. Identify the key differences between anticholinergic and cholinergic toxicity.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the carbon monoxide-exposed patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of both carbon monoxide poisoning and illnesses that mimic carbon monoxide poisoning.
2. Describe the standard treatment approach to the carbon monoxide-exposed patient.
3. Identify the many different causes of carbon monoxide exposure.
Chest Pain
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the chest pain patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of patients complaining of chest pain.
2. Understand the risks and potential pitfalls when caring for the chest pain patient.
3. Identify various clinical scenarios that can mimic acute myocardial infarctions.
Chest Trauma
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about blunt chest trauma. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the concerning physical exam findings in the chest trauma patient.
2. Identify the standard pre-hospital treatment for tension pneumothorax.
3. Evaluate and treat the acute chest trauma patient.
CHF vs. COPD
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the overlapping signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure(CHF)/pulmonary edema and COPD. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the benefits and limitations of lung sounds in patients with difficulty breathing.
2. Evaluate a patient's vital signs to help distinguish CHF from COPD.
3. Distinguish CHF from COPD by obtaining a careful history from the patient.
Child Abuse
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the potential child abuse patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of child abuse.
2. Describe important techniques for treating the potentially abused child.
3. Identify the different types of child abuse and typical signs and symptoms.
Club Drugs
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the many different commonly abused club drugs. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the common features of several different commonly abused club drugs.
2. Identify the common clinical pitfalls in treating abusers of club drugs.
3. Distinguish different club drug patterns by conducting a thorough scene survey and performing a thorough history and physical exam.
Customer Service
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the importance of customer service. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may the following:
1. Explain the four principles of customer service, as outlined in "Essentials of Fire Department Customer Service".
2. Understand the decreased chance of legal liability when having a strong customer service program.
3. Identify the common clinical pitfalls of treating demented patients.
Depression/Suicide
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the psychiatric patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of depression and bipolar disorder.
2. Understand the risks and potential pitfalls when caring for a patient with a psychiatric complaint.
3. Identify the scene safety issues when dealing with a patient with a psychiatric complaint.
DNR
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this edition of the Medic Monthly is to educate the Paramedic about the management of the patient with advance directives and DNR orders. After participating in this continuing education program, the healthcare provider will be better able to:
1. Explain some key legal features regarding patients with DNR orders.
2. Understand the risks and potential pitfalls when caring for the patient with advance directives.
3. Identify the importance of caring for the family of a patient that has a legal DNR order.
Dyspnea
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the dyspnea patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the key issues when dealing with the dyspnea patient.
2. Explain the common causes of dyspnea and the associated signs and symptoms.
3. Consider all possible causes when treating the dyspnea patient.
Elderly Abuse
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the potential elder abuse patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Understand common risk factors for elder abuse.
2. Describe important clues when treating the potential elder abuse patient.
3. Identify the different signs and symptoms commonly seen with elder abuse.
Elderly Falls
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the elderly fall patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical pathophysiologic findings in the elderly.
2. Describe some standard pitfalls with medications and the elderly.
3. Identify common clinical scenarios facing the elderly fall patient.
Elderly Hip Fracture
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the patient with a hip injury. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of hip fractures.
2. Understand the risks and potential pitfalls when caring for the elderly hip fracture patient.
3. Identify various medical conditions that can predispose elderly patients to falls.
EMS Lawsuits—Documentation
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of patients who refuse care or transport. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical pitfalls when patients are permitted to refuse care.
2. Describe common techniques to help avoid patient refusals.
3. Describe the advantages to both the patient and the EMS provider of patients being treated and transported to the hospital.
EMS Lawsuits—Patient Restraint
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the patient requiring physical restraint. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key safety features when dealing with the agitated or violent patient.
2. Describe the main methods of patient restraint.
3. Identify the pitfalls of transporting a restrained patient in the prone position.
Football Injury—Neck Fractures
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about cervical spine injuries. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the concerning physical exam findings in the spine-injured patient.
2. Describe the standard pre-hospital treatment for the potential spine-injured trauma patient.
3. Evaluate and treat the patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of neurologic injury.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the gastrointestinal bleeding patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of gastrointestinal bleeding.
2. Understand the risks and potential pitfalls when caring for the bleeding patient.
3. Identify various medical conditions that can predispose patients to gastrointestinal bleeding.
Head Injuries
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the potential head-injured patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of head injury.
2. Describe important clues when treating the potentially head-injured patient.
3. Identify the different signs and symptoms of head injury.
Headaches
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the patient with a headache. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of patients with headaches.
2. Describe the standard treatment approach to the headache patient.
3. Identify key vital signs when evaluating the headache patient.
Headaches
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives
The goal of this edition of the Medic Monthly is to educate the Paramedic and First Responder/EMT about the management of patients with infectious diseases and the actual risk of disease contraction with various occupational exposures. After participating in this continuing education program, the healthcare provider will be better able to:
1. Explain some key risk factors for an occupational exposure to an infectious disease (i.e. Hepatitis, HIV).
2. Understand the actions that should be taken to minimize risks for an occupational exposure.
3. Identify various pitfalls in caring for the patient with an infectious disease.
Hepatitis and Job-related Infectious Diseases
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives
The goal of this edition of the Medic Monthly is to educate the First Responder/EMT and Paramedic about the management of patients with infectious diseases and the actual risk of disease contraction with various occupational exposures. After participating in this continuing education program, the healthcare provider will be better able to:
1. Explain some key risk factors for an occupational exposure to an infectious disease (i.e. Hepatitis, HIV).
2. Understand the actions that should be taken to minimize risks for an occupational exposure.
3. Identify various pitfalls in caring for the patient with an infectious disease.
Hyperthermic Patient
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the patient with hyperthermia. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider will be may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical pathophysiologic findings of the patient with a heat emergency.
2. Describe some common risk factors for developing a heat emergency.
3. Identify common clinical scenarios involving the heatstroke patient.
Hypothermic Patient
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the hypothermic patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of hypothermia.
2. Describe the standard treatment approach to the hypothermic patient.
3. Identify the many different risk factors for developing hypothermia.
Kidney Disease
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the patient with confirmed or suspected kidney disease. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of kidney disease.
2. Understand the risks and potential pitfalls when caring for the patient with kidney disease.
3. Identify various medical conditions that can predispose patients to kidney disease.
4. Identify the risks of patients with polycystic kidney disease for developing subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Methamphetamine Abuse
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the clinical findings commonly encountered with methamphetamine abuse. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the common features of the patient abusing methamphetamine.
2. Identify the common clinical pitfalls in treating abusers of methamphetamine.
3. Distinguish different club drug patterns by conducting a thorough scene survey and performing a thorough history and physical exam.
Myocardial Infarction
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about both the typical and atypical presentations of acute myocardial infarction. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the typical and atypical findings in a patient with acute myocardial infarction.
2. Identify the standard pre-hospital treatment for acute myocardial infarction.
3. Evaluate and treat the acute myocardial infarction patient.
Near Drowning
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the drowning and near drowning patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the key resuscitative points when treating the near drowning victim.
2. Explain the common causes of near drowning and the patient populations at increased risk for drowning.
3. Consider all possible causes when treating the near drowning victim.
Pediatric Abdominal Trauma
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the pediatric patient with abdominal trauma. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain some key clinical features of pediatric patients with abdominal trauma.
2. Describe the pre-hospital approach to treatment of suspected child abuse victims.
3. Identify normal vital signs of different aged children.
Pediatric Altered Mental Status
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the pediatric patient with an altered mental status. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of the child with an altered mental status.
2. Understand risks and potential pitfalls when caring for the child with an altered mental status.
3. Identify various medical conditions that can predispose children to an altered mental status.
Pediatric Head Trauma
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the pediatric head trauma victim. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of the pediatric head trauma patient.
2. Describe the standard treatment approach to the pediatric head trauma victim.
3. Identify the variations of pediatric head trauma compared to adult head trauma.
Pediatric Seizures
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the pediatric seizure patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of pediatric seizures.
2. Understand the risks and potential pitfalls when caring for a pediatric seizure patient.
3. Identify various clinical scenarios that can mimic seizures in the child.
Pediatric Shortness of Breath
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the pediatric patient with shortness of breath. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of the pediatric patient with shortness of breath.
2. Describe the standard treatment approach to the pediatric patient with shortness of breath.
3. Identify key vital signs when evaluating the pediatric patient with shortness of breath.
Pediatric Spinal Injuries
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of pediatric spinal injuries. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of pediatric patients complaining of a spine injury.
2. Understand risks and potential pitfalls when caring for a child with a potential spine injury.
3. Identify various pitfalls in caring for the pediatric trauma patient with a possible spinal injury.
Pregnancy and Trauma
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the pregnant trauma patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the physiologic changes that occur during a normal pregnancy.
2. Evaluate and treat the pregnant trauma patient.
Scene Safety
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the importance of scene safety. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the benefits of practicing scene safety skills.
2. Evaluate a scene and apply specific scene safety principles.
Seizures
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the seizure patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of seizures.
2. Understand the risks and potential pitfalls when caring for a seizure patient.
3. Identify various clinical scenarios that can mimic seizures.
Shock
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about allergic reactions and the signs and symptoms of shock. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the common features of allergic reactions and shock.
2. Identify common clues to help make the diagnosis of shock.
3. Distinguish different allergic reaction patterns by conducting a thorough scene survey and performing a thorough history and physical exam.
SIDS
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the care and treatment of the infant cardiac arrest victim and their family. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the common features of SIDS
2. Identify common reasons for infant cardiac arrest.
3. Understand the need for sensitivity toward the family during an infant cardiac arrest situation.
Snakebites and Stings
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the snakebite victim. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the key clinical features of patients with snakebites.
2. dentify the standard treatment approach to the snakebite victim.
3.Understand typical presentations of common spider bites.
Spinal Injuries
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the spine-injured patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of spinal injury.
2. Describe the standard treatment approach to the spine-injured patient.
3. Identify the many different risk factors for developing spinal injury.
Stroke
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the stroke patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of both stroke and illnesses that mimic stroke.
2. Describe the standard treatment approach to the stroke patient.
3. Identify key stroke scale assessment tools when evaluating the stroke patient.
The Obese Patient
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the obese EMS patient. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical features of the obese EMS patient.
2. Describe common clinical presentations of the obese EMS patient.
3. Understand logistical challenges when treating the obese EMS patient.
Triage
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the importance of MCI triage. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain the benefits of practicing the START triage system.
2. Approach a MCI situation with an organized algorithm.
3. Distinguish different patients in a MCI situation using a simple color-coded system for triage.
Wheezing
Credit Hours: 1.5 (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic)
Course Objectives:
The goal of this installment of Medic Monthly is to educate the first responder/EMT/paramedic about the management of the patient with wheezing. After participating in this continuing education course, the health care provider may do the following:
1. Explain key clinical findings of the patient with wheezing.
2. Describe the common diagnoses of wheezing patients.
3. Describe the differences between cardiac asthma and asthma.