EMS on AIR Podcast

Like many areas across the nation, Michigan continues to experience an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.  In this episode: Dr. McGraw leads off the discussion with an update regarding the status of COVID-19 pandemic, as of July 14, 2020.   Then, we talk about the importance of referencing credible sources of information when doing your own fact finding, because it’s important to...

In this episode, we sit down with Angela Madden, the Executive Director of MAAS, which is a resource and advocate for ambulance services in Michigan.  Angela is here to discuss MAAS’ mission to continue to advocate for and advance the profession of EMS within the State of Michigan, as well as tell us about some cool stuff that they’ve helped get for the EMS community recently and not just for its...

Like many other States across the nation, Michigan has begun to experience a COVID-19 spike over the last few weeks.  In this episode, Dr. McGraw and Dr. Faust discuss the recent accelerated rise in infection and the impact on our EMS, hospital and social communities.  As you’ll hear the doctors say multiple times, maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask and not going to work when you’re sic...

As of July 1, 2020, ketamine will finally be stocked in the Southeast Michigan EMS Medication Boxes.  The changes to our protocols and additions to our medication box effects 9 MCAs, hundreds of LSAs, thousands of drug boxes and even more EMS providers.  In this episode, Bonnie Kincaid, Executive Director of the Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA), and Dr. Steve McGraw, the OCMCA EMS...

In this episode we are joined by Allison Biliti, who is the Southeast Region Coordinator for the State of Michigan Bureau of EMS and Trauma Preparedness.  Allison is one of five State of Michigan Regional EMS Coordinators whose job it is to perform things like EMS Agency and Licensed Vehicle Inspections, Initial Education Program Site Visits, as well as reviewing Continuing Education (CE) Applicat...

In this episode, Dr. Faust provides us an update on the most recent national, state and local COVID stats, as well as an overview of current trends we’re seeing out there. Then, Dr. McGraw addresses recent concerns from the EMS community about loosening up our airway management restrictions, found in our protocols during the pandemic.  He also touches on why we saw a near doubling of priority 4 pa...

You may have heard that the COVID-19 virus creates an increased risk of forming blood clots. Dr. Griauzde is here to talk to us about the effect of COVID and the incidence of stroke.  Then, he walks us through what he specializes in, mechanical thrombectomy, or MT, which is the physical removal of a blood clot from one of the larger arteries of the brain.  These strokes in big arteries of the brai...

This episode dives into two important topics that are annual occurrences for the Oakland County Medical Control Authority.  Every year, the staff of the OCMCA produce and present an Annual Report for the Board of Directors and depicts the organization’s achievements from the previous year and provides a glimpse into the next year and beyond. Today, we provide you with a presentation of the 2019 OC...

After a week-long break the EMS On Air Podcast Crew is back and we’re excited to be here.  Today, Bonnie and I are joined once again by our friends Dr. McGraw and Dr. Faust to provide an update regarding the status of the pandemic and talk about how things are going for EMS and hospitals.  Then we get into a discussion about the value of serology testing, as long as it’s the RIGHT kind of serology...

In today’s episode, we give everyone an update on the changes that were made to the Oakland County Med Control COVID-19 Emergency Protocols.  As of May 15, 2020, multiple Emergency Protocols were deleted, and a few were updated. Again, the purpose of this episode is to dial into what changed and why it changed, so that EMS and associated ED personnel may better understand the application of each o...

In this episode, we address one of the effects the pandemic has had on EMS providers in Michigan.  Michigan has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  During that time, the State government has adjusted to facilitate the continuation of EMS operations throughout the State at the highest level possible.  These adjustments included time extensions for EMS re-licensing, as well as other requ...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mike Dettloff, an ER physician who was once a paramedic, to discuss his decision to leave the job he worked so hard for as a full-time professional firefighter paramedic, as well as his transition from Paramedic Dettloff to Dr. Dettloff.  In addition, Mike spends time providing insight and pointers to EMS providers that may be considering a similar transition....

In this episode, Dr. Steve McGraw, the Oakland County Med Control EMS Medical Director, and Dr. Russell Faust, the Oakland County Health Division Medical Director join us for a discussion.  More and more states are planning to progress towards loosening up on stay at home orders and other related restrictions.  As this happens, we need to consider the potential effects on our EMS and hospital syst...

In this episode, Dr. McGraw begins with a continuation of his thoughts on the extension and the need to avoid complacency with our PPE.  Then, he presents the notion that even though COVID numbers are going down in states like Michigan, that doesn’t mean the numbers in your community will necessarily be going down.  In fact, this virus may not have made it to your geographic area yet, and it still...

As of May 7, 2020, the stay at home executive orders in Michigan have been extended to May 28, 2020.  Today’s episode is a nice brief update for our listeners regarding what to expect over that time period and beyond.  We have more great content scheduled for the next week, which we’ll briefly touch on today.  The Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA) has produced this podcast series in...

In this episode we introduce you to Dr. Russell Faust, MD, PhD, Medical Director of the Oakland County Health Division located in Pontiac, Michigan.  Dr. Faust provides us with an overview of the various types of COVID-19 testing, what their results tell us and what EMS agencies are doing to help test residents of long-term-care facilities in Oakland County, MI.   The Oakland County Medical Contro...

This five-minute episode provides an overview of the four OCMCA EMS Emergency Protocols that have been discontinued, at this time and is in line with OCMCA EMS Advisory 052, that was released on May 4, 2020.  The OCMCA Protocols App and website have been updated with this information.   The Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA) has produced this podcast series in response to the concern...

In this episode, you’ll get to hear directly from two paramedics on the front lines of the epidemic, who, unfortunately, got struck down by the virus and had it pretty rough.  First, we’ll get to hear each them detail their experiences with the associated signs and symptoms, as well as the COVID-19 testing procedures they endured.  Then, we’ll get into the steps they took to self-isolate and how t...

 In this episode, we take a step back from our operationally-focused discussions surrounding patient treatment and take a closer look at the pathophysiology COVID-19.  Dr. McGraw breaks down the virus for us, how it proliferated to such pandemic proportions, and his outlook on potential vaccinations.  He also spends time comparing and contrasting COVID-19 to other coronaviruses and other similar v...

In this episode, Dr. McGraw provides another update on the status of the pandemic.  Then, we get a little deeper into some things like, “What is herd immunity? and, does having antibodies mean that I’m immune? Our buddy, Dr. McGraw breaks it down for us in his own special way for us.    The Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA) has produced this podcast series in response to the concern...

In today’s episode, Dr. McGraw gives us his opinion on what the transition to reopening parts of our society, both locally and nationally, and what it may look like for our EMS and EDs.    The Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA) has produced this podcast series in response to the concerns of our communities regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It provides context, direction a...

n this episode, we sit down with three of our key docs to briefly continue the discussion from the last episode and highlight the importance of transporting patients to the ED, as we normally would, because our EDs can handle the patient load and maintain the level of safety necessary.  Then, we get into a deeper discussion and Q&A regarding cardiac arrest care during the COVID pandemic.  You...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of recognizing that non-COVID medical emergencies are still happening.  People continue to have strokes, STEMI, traumas and alike. Dr. McGraw discusses some of the concerns that have surfaced since the implementation of EMS Emergency Protocol 8-46, Decision to Transport During COVID-19.     The Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA) has produced...

In this episode, we join the OCMCA EMS Operations Committee meeting that was held April 9, 2020.  But first, Bonnie and I have a short chat with Chris Haney, who is currently the Chair of the EMS Ops Committee, to give a brief overview of who makes up the Committee and what they do.  Then, we jump into a recording of the meeting where, Dr. McGraw continues to field many important and necessary que...

 In today’s episode, Dr. McGraw provides an update of the pandemic, as well as how it’s affecting us here at home.  The doc also provides fantastic insight and answers to a number of questions that we’ve received from EMS providers.    The Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA) has produced this podcast series in response to the concerns of our communities regarding the coronavirus disea...