Cypress Creek EMS Podcast

In this episode, Steven and Samuel sit down with Dr. Jason Ausman, the current EMS fellow, to discuss COVID-19. Topics covered include:

• What’s changed with COVID-19, including the new UK and South African virus variants.
• Long term effects of COVID-19.
• How we can reduce the spread of this disease.
• COVID-19 vaccinations.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Death and Dying Part 1

A topic that is not often discussed, death and dying are an inherent reality for the EMS provider. This conversation between Lynne, Samuel and Steven addresses how to deal with grief. There's a huge expectation that first responders should intrinsically understand how to move through the sadness and difficulty of losing a patient, whatever that may look like.

This podcast looks at the stages of grief and how they relate to first responders; it is important to be healthy in processing the death of patients, especially when it is traumatic or sudden. Our increased exposure to the end of life means that we should be aware of the emotions associated with it so that we can move through them and continue…the best job in the world.

The Kubler-Ross Grief Model:

In this episode, Steven Beesley, Christy Stermer, Alex Moore, and Samuel Kordik sat down to discuss aerosol-generating procedures, PPE requirements, and how to find answers to your questions during COVID-19.

If you have questions, needs, or just would like someone to talk to, here's a list you can start with. Everyone on here cares deeply about you and would be happy to help:

Samuel Kordik

Elizabeth Breaux

Casey Pile

Zach Dunlap

Lynne Singleton

Ryan Jones

References:

K., T., K., C., M., S., C., P.-S., & J., C. (2011). Aerosol generating procedures (AGP) and risk of transmission of acute respiratory diseases (ARD): A systematic review. BMC Proceedings.

In this podcast episode, we discuss why EMS in stressful times requires a focused response. EMS providers carry an additional burden during times of disaster (or pandemic) and are more likely to experience stress and burnout. What does that look like and how can we mitigate it? We talk about how to recognize that you are hitting a breaking point, what you can do, and what is beyond resilience: becoming antifragile.

Emergency Responder Crisis Text Line (text BADGE to 741741, trained crisis counselors who can help, available 24/7)

Disaster Response Assets Network (free Zoom meetings daily with other healthcare professionals and first responders)

Heroes Helpline - 833-367-4689 (identify treatment options, referrals to in-person therapy or social services)

Refuge PTSD Group "Converge" - Monday evenings 6-7pm (in-person in Conroe, TX)

Resources:

In this episode, Steven Beesley, Brian Cooper and Caitlyn Stoner of Athlete Training and Health discuss what you can do at home to stay healthy during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

In this episode, we continue our discussion about evaluating misinformation and specifically address how to evaluate medical claims. Along the way, we answer several frequently asked questions.

Links mentioned in episode:

In this episode, Samuel Kordik, Zach Dunlap, Lynne Singleton, and Steven Beesley discuss some of the recent protocol changes at Cypress Creek EMS relating to clinical care for COVID-19 patients. Specific items discussed include:

• Why there is no "cookbook recipe" for treating these patients.
• How we should approach being clinicians and making good judgement calls during this crisis.
• The primary focus we have in treating these patients is protecting ourselves and our future patients and doing what's right for patients.
• How to manage respiratory distress patients without using nebulized medications or CPAP.
• How to approach pre-oxygenation and RSI.
• The revised cardiac arrest algorithm
• And much more!

In this episode, we recommend being familiar with a wide range of inputs and approaches to treating these patients during this pandemic crisis.

Some podcasts you should subscribe to include:

In this episode, Steven Beesley, Samuel Kordik and Lynne Singleton discuss how to spot misinformation on social media and online and how to get better information sources.

• How to evaluate claims you see online: SIFT
  Stop and don't accept or share the claim until you've validated it.
  Investigate the source
  Find better coverage
  Trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context
  
• How to get reliable information:
  Official sources: HC Public health, HC OEM, Texas DSHS, CDC, WHO
  Known, vetted sources on Twitter (infectious disease list!)
  Information from CCEMS
  

In this episode, Steven Beesley, Samuel Kordik, Brian Cooper, and Lorena Sadler sit down to discuss practical things we can be doing to handle stress and increase resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resources mentioned:

Episode Overview

• Review of COVID and SARS-CoV-2 including how it differs from the common cold and flu.
• Clinical characteristics
• Caution regarding treatments
• Background on testing
• Discussion on CCEMS specific responses.
• Question & Answers

Links mentioned in this episode:

NEJM paper “Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China”