The World’s Okayest Medic Podcast

LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. References: Buxton. Sustained Monomorphic VT: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Evaluation. Up-to-Date. Farré J, Rubio JM, Sternick EB. Confounding factors leading to misdiagnosing ventricular tachycardia as supraventricular in the emergency room. Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J. 2023;23(1):1-13. doi:10.1016/j.ipej.2022.11.002 Kashou AH, Evenson CM, Noseworthy PA, et al. Differentiating wide complex tachycardias: A historical perspective. Indian Heart J. 2021;73(1):7-13. doi:10.1016/j.ihj.2020.09.006 Salim Rezaie, "SVT With Aberrancy Versus VT", REBEL EM blog, November 22, 2013. Available at: https://rebelem.com/svt-aberrancy-versus-vt/. 
Steinman RT, Herrera C, Schuger CD, Lehmann MH. Wide QRS tachycardia in the conscious adult. Ventricular tachycardia is the most frequent cause. JAMA. 1989 Feb 17;261(7):1013-6. PMID: 2915409. Vereckei A. Current algorithms for the diagnosis of wide QRS complex tachycardias. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2014 Aug;10(3):262-76. doi: 10.2174/1573403x10666140514103309. PMID: 24827795; PMCID: PMC4040878.

LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Listener discretion is advised.

Listener discretion is advised. References: Cook AM, Morgan Jones G, Hawryluk GWJ, Mailloux P, McLaughlin D, Papangelou A, Samuel S, Tokumaru S, Venkatasubramanian C, Zacko C, Zimmermann LL, Hirsch K, Shutter L. Guidelines for the Acute Treatment of Cerebral Edema in Neurocritical Care Patients. Neurocrit Care. 2020 Jun;32(3):647-666. doi: 10.1007/s12028-020-00959-7. PMID: 32227294; PMCID: PMC7272487. Desai A, Damani R. Hyperosmolar therapy: A century of treating cerebral edema. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2021 Jul;206:106704. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106704. Epub 2021 May 20. PMID: 34045110. Mount CA, Das JM. Cerebral Perfusion Pressure. [Updated 2023 Apr 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537271/ Susanto M, Riantri I. Optimal Dose and Concentration of Hypertonic Saline in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review. Medeni Med J. 2022 Jun 23;37(2):203-211. doi: 10.4274/MMJ.galenos.2022.75725. PMID: 35735001; PMCID: PMC9234368.

Listener discretion is advised. Jake Potter from Scope Education and Josh Cooke from The Alert Medic One Podcast joined me for an agendaless discussion.

Listener discretion is advised. Thank you to Dr. Haney Mallemat and my partner Cameron for coming on to discuss a high-risk/low-frequency case.

An intense medical case unfolds as an 84-year-old woman presents with severe chest pain, sparking urgent discussions about aortic dissection. The challenges of prehospital care highlight the need for rapid decision-making and accurate vital signs. Experts tackle the intricate nature of aortic dissections, stressing the importance of effective patient management and education in emergency settings. The conversation also encourages honest reflections on the complexities of such cases, emphasizing learning from both successes and setbacks.

Explore the fascinating world of 911 dispatching as a seasoned telecommunicator shares insights into the profession's complexities. Discover the lack of national standards, the challenges of assessing emergencies, and the balance between providing critical medical guidance and managing legal risks. Dive into the evolution of dispatching systems, from supportive resources to rigid frameworks, and the potential game-changing role of AI. Uncover the art of critical thinking required in high-pressure situations and the vital collaborations between dispatchers and first responders.

Discover the heated debate on treating active labor as an advanced life support scenario. Explore personal anecdotes and social media insights that challenge conventional practices. Delve into the nuances of airway management, especially concerning drug choices like succinylcholine for high-risk patients. Expert advice is shared on assessing altered mental status, ensuring paramedics make informed decisions in critical situations. It's an enlightening look at the complexities of pre-hospital care in emergency medical settings.

Dive into the struggles of burnout in emergency services, as the hosts tackle the intense frustration felt by providers. They discuss the challenge of low-performing coworkers and the necessity of personal fulfillment in high-stress environments. Listeners hear about the journey to acceptance in a prestigious flight team, battling imposter syndrome along the way. Additionally, they explore the importance of adapting to organizational culture while balancing individuality and teamwork. It's a candid look at the highs and lows of life in emergency medical services.