EMS: Erik & Matt Show

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS) we explore "just culture" in EMS and fire service—a value-based accountability model that balances honest mistake reporting with appropriate accountability to improve patient safety and team trust.

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS) with Erik Axene and Matt Ball, an emergency physician and a firefighter/paramedic break down how to recognize and manage pediatric sepsis in the field starting from why kids compensate so well that they look fine right up until they fall off the cliff. They explain why sepsis belongs on your differential for any sick kid, not just the nursing-home pa...

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS) with Erik Axene and Matt Ball, an emergency physician and a firefighter/paramedic break down how to recognize and manage dialysis emergencies in the field, starting from what healthy kidneys actually do so the failures finally make sense. They connect the volume-overloaded dialysis patient to the congestive heart failure patient, walk through why mis...

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Erik and Matt unpack the 12 cognitive biases that quietly drive missed diagnoses and bad calls in prehospital medicine. They cover anchoring, confirmation bias, premature closure, availability bias, framing, overconfidence, diagnostic momentum, action bias, search satisfaction, the Dunning-Kruger effect, authority bias, and sunk cost. Each bias is p...

When seconds decide whether someone walks out of the hospital or never speaks again, your EMS stroke assessment has to be fast, accurate, and repeatable. In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS) with Erik Axene and Matt Ball, an emergency physician and a firefighter/paramedic break down how to recognize a stroke in the field, why "last known well" is the single most important ques...

Get ready to laugh in this lighthearted episode of the Erik & Matt Show (EMS) as Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball open up and share some of their most embarrassing stories from their careers. From humorous mishaps to awkward moments, they prove that sometimes you just need to laugh at yourself. Join us for a fun and relatable episode that reminds us all of the human side of EMS work. Discover more...

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Erik and Matt tackle one of the most common and potentially deadly emergencies in prehospital medicine: gastrointestinal bleeding. They break down the differences between upper and lower GI bleeds, what coffee ground emesis, bright red hematemesis, melena, and hematochezia each tell you about the source and severity of the bleed, and how to make cri...

In this episode of the EMS Podcast. Dr. Erik Axene and Matt discuss Toxidromes. They will help you learn to recognize common toxidromes encountered in the prehospital setting. This podcast will help you understand patient presentations and apply practical management strategies.

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball tackle the call that scares EMS providers more than almost anything else: the crashing pediatric patient with a possible cardiac emergency. Erik and Matt break down why most pediatric emergencies are actually respiratory or perfusion related, not cardiac, and how to tell the difference in the field. The conversation cove...

In this special episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS) , Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball are joined by Patrick Pianezza, co-writer and creator of the film Code 3 . Patrick shares the real-world EMS experiences that inspired the movie, from burnout and dark humor to low pay, private ambulance work, and the emotional toll of prehospital medicine. The conversation dives into EMS culture, patient experi...

Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball continue their deep dive into high-risk obstetric emergencies that EMS providers rarely encounter but must be prepared to manage. Part 2 focuses on antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum complications, including preeclampsia, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, placental emergencies, delivery complications, neonatal resuscitation, and postpartum hemorrhage. The discussion e...

This is a two part podcast where Dr. Axene and Matt Ball discuss high risk OB emergencies. They will explore the challenges and stories of OB emergencies with real-life cases, expert tips, and practical advice for EMS and healthcare providers. Learn about trauma, sepsis, and more in this engaging, informative episode.

In this episode of the EMS Show, Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball discuss some of the most common errors made by EMS providers. Prehospital providers make split second critical decisions everyday. Mistakes happen in these high stress low acuity environments. How can we make sure they we are providing the best care for our communities while also protecting ourselves? Erik and Matt will breakdown the co...

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS) Join Dr. Erik Axene and Firefighter/Paramedic Matt Ball as they dive into the essential skills and knowledge every EMS provider needs when caring for pediatric patients. In this episode, you’ll get practical tips, real-world scenarios, and expert insights to help you stay calm, confident, and effective in the field. Whether you’re a seasoned paramedi...

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS), we dive into a groundbreaking article from August 2025 that questions the effectiveness of cervical collars. Analyzing data from nearly 4,000 studies, the article finds no evidence that cervical collars prevent secondary neurological deficits—a major shift for EMS practices. For years, applying a c-collar has been a fundamental protocol for trauma p...

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS), we dive into the unique challenges of caring for obese patients, a growing population, particularly in the U.S. We explore the complexities of treatment, proper medication dosing, and ensuring provider safety when responding to these calls. Join us as we share insights and strategies for first responders to effectively manage and support patients st...

In this insightful episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS), hosts Erik and Matt explore the complexities of providing exceptional care for patients with special needs. From overcoming barriers like hearing or vision impairments to addressing physical challenges, such as working with patients in wheelchairs, or supporting those with autism, this episode dives into practical strategies for healthcar...

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS) we discuss the age old issue of when we should stay and play or load and go. The days of "give them a dose of diesel" are fading. We need to be doing what's best for our patients. This is a complicated decision with several factors that play into it. To be a good practitioner you have to be able to make the best clinical decision for y...

In this episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and Matt Ball discuss health and wellness. There's so much misinformation out there on what it means to be "healthy." But what does it really look like to be a healthy person. It's not about having 6 pack abs or the latest diet craze. Dr. Axene has spent an extensive amount of time researching and speaking on this...

In the episode of the Erik and Matt Show (EMS) we discuss the complex and time-critical world of submersion injuries. From drowning and near-drowning incidents to cold water immersion and secondary complications, Erik and Matt explore what really happens when the body is submerged and how to manage these patients. We'll discuss prehospital considerations, and hospital management strategies, a...

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS) , Dr. Erik Axene, MD and firefighter/paramedic Matt Ball tackle a seasonally critical topic: hyperthermia. With record-breaking heat across the U.S., they break down how to recognize early signs of heat illness, differentiate heat exhaustion from heat stroke, and manage these patients effectively in the prehospital setting. They walk through thermore...

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS) , we sit down with Fire Chief Robert Reardon of Duxbury, Massachusetts, for a powerful conversation on leadership through adversity. Chief Reardon opens up about navigating some of the toughest calls of his career and the emotional impact those moments had—not just on the firefighters he leads, but on himself. He shares how he worked to ensure his te...

Airway management isn’t just about getting the tube, it’s about knowing when, why, and how to do it right. In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS) , Dr. Erik Axene and firefighter/paramedic Matt Ball get real about what it takes to succeed in the field, from first-pass success to recognizing when not to intubate. They break down the big four: trauma, pediatric, geriatric, and obese patient...

Sepsis kills more patients than trauma or cardiac arrest, yet it’s often missed in the field. In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS) , Dr. Erik Axene and firefighter/paramedic Matt Ball break down everything EMS providers need to know about recognizing and managing sepsis before the ambulance bay doors. They cover real patient cases, why traditional screening tools fall short, and the evo...

In this episode of The Erik and Matt Show (EMS), Dr. Erik Axene and firefighter/paramedic Matt Ball talk candidly about EMS in the modern fire service. From the glamorized expectations in recruitment ads to the daily reality of medical calls, they dig into the cultural gap between perception and practice. The episode explores how fire-based EMS providers can better embrace their role in patient ca...