Guest, a medical professional with significant Role 1 and Role 2 experience, discusses pain medications, fentanyl lozenges in mass casualty events, drug delivery methods, providing medical care without pain meds, opioid narcotics, and pain management in trauma cases.
Doc Mitchell shares his background starting as a civilian ER trained doctor and transitioning into various roles within the Air Force, including a deployment as a flight doc and special tactics assignments. He brings a wealth of experience from his time as an embedded flight medical director and pararescue, highlighting the mix of ER training and CCAT rescue background. His diverse assignments, including time spent on SAUS teams, provide insights into his extensive experience within military medical contexts.
Discussion on Fentanyl Lozenges in Mass Casualty Events
The podcast delves into the potential benefits of using fentanyl lozenges in mass casualty events, emphasizing the importance of effective pain control in such settings. Doc Mitchell references an article discussing the utility of fentanyl lozenges during mass casualty incidents and the differing practices between civilian and military medical communities. He explains how the lozenges offer a dual absorption method through oral mucosa and gastric absorption, providing quick and sustained pain relief. Additionally, he touches on the operational considerations and proper administration timelines for optimal pain management.
Operational Experiences and Observations on Pain Management
Doc Mitchell shares his experiences using fentanyl lozenges in challenging operational environments, detailing scenarios where the lozenges were valuable for providing rapid pain relief without the need for invasive procedures like IV administration. He discusses the nuances of administering pain medication based on injury severity, highlighting the importance of clinical experience and judgment in selecting the appropriate pain management approach. Additionally, he reflects on the safety and efficacy of fentanyl lozenges based on his observations, emphasizing their role in enhancing patient comfort and potentially reducing post-traumatic stress outcomes.