Prehospital Paradigm Podcast

In this in-depth episode, host Scott Wildenheim is joined by regular contributors Caleb Ferroni and Ray Pace, along with special guest Falon Steiner, EMS Manager of Initial Training Programs. Together, they explore the full spectrum of modern EMS education—from foundational program structure and mentorship to test-taking psychology, AI integration, and simulation-based training. The team addresses...

As the crew prepare to head out of the studio for the live version of the podcast, the discussion of medical math and "teaching for the test" vs. preparing providers for "the real world" of EMS, becomes a thing. And, yes, you still will have to memorize some things. Finally, how about letting potential students sit in on the courses?  Might that help interested students to realize that EMS is not...

Continuing the EMS education talk with Falon Steiner of the UH EMS Institute team and discusses what is practical education for EMS students   and the ability to understand "why" vs. "how/when" to treat patients.   The national registry is also a topic as far as assessing student competency.

EMS Education is the topic this month with Falon Steiner, EMS Manager of Initial EMS Training. What are the basics? What changes do instructors need to make in teaching methodology? EMT programs are still under oversite by the state. The paramedic programs have oversight from the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is a programmatic post-secondary accrediting organization re...

Dr. Glen Tinkoff, System Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at University Hospitals joined the team at this Live Episode held at Parma Fire Station #2.  The group discusses the varied capabilities of trauma center levels and the Golden Hour.

In this 3 rd part of the team's discussion of adult trauma care with Dr. Glen Tinkoff, System Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at University Hospitals, the continuation of trauma center designation criteria continues. On-scene times and the use of ground and air transport methods are discussed which leads into a discussion of what will "kill" a trauma patient?

Ray, Caleb and Dr. Hill continue with Dr. Glen Tinkoff, System Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at University Hospitals.  The discussion of having a defined Level 4 Trauma Center designation starts this episode and then the group discussion the changes in prehospital trauma care based .. i.e. tourniquets, lactated ringers and cervical collars that has been based on data collection.

Ray Pace takes the lead this month as the crew talks adult trauma topics with, Dr. Glen Tinkoff, System Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at University Hospitals.  In this first episode of the series, Dr. Tinkoff reflects on how he came to find Trauma Surgery as a specialty including his early life as a first responder. The group discusses the varied capabilities of trauma center levels and the...

In this insightful episode of The Pre-Hospital Paradigm Podcast, Dr. John Hill and co-host Scott Wildenheim dive deep into the evolving world of blood transfusion medicine with special guests Vicki Cary, Manager of Transfusion Medicine, and Matt Howlett, System QA Coordinator for Blood Banks. Together, they explore the critical role of blood and blood products in EMS and trauma care, the challenge...

As Dr. Hill, Scott, Vicky and Matt start to wind up the discussion regarding transfusion medicine for EMS, i.e. using blood products in the prehospital setting, they discuss the proper storage requirements necessary for products and the costs of maintaining the blood collection, storage and distribution process. What's being considered before implementing blood products into the streets.

Scott and Dr. John Hill continue with their guests from the UH blood bank. The discussion continues regarding the emergent useage of blood products before and after the type and screening which can be done with 10 minutes or less depending on the type of testing equipment. They also move on to educating EMS professionals regarding being a part of the collection/donation process.

This month, the crew gets together with, Victoria Cary and Matt Howlett, members of the UH system's blood bank to talk about the progress of transfusion medicine becoming within the practice scope of EMS.  The information is based on rules, regulations and laws of the state of Ohio.  In Part 1, the crew and guests reviews the A, B, Os basics of "blood science."

From a cardiology standpoint, what can be done by a basic level EMS provider vs. an advanced level provider? How can technology be utilized to expand the BLS scope of practice? The basis of this discussion is the Ohio EMS Scope of Practice

In this month's episode, our guest, Brian Abbott, and the team discuss one of the most important topics for first responders - mental health. Thanks to the UH Portage Paramedic Program for having the team back in the classroom for this episode.

As the team prepares for the next live show, of course, the topic being the mental health of EMS and firefighting professionals, they wind up the in-studio conversation with local firefighter, Brian Abbott who has rebounded to the fire services after treatment for mental health issues related to being in the EMS/fire service.

Peer support, changing the stigma of the culture within the firefighter/EMS population is how Ray, Caleb, Dr. Hill and our guest, Brian Abbot start this episode. Showing signs of mental health issues can be seen as a sign of weakness. However, personal vulnerability needs to be recognized and encouraged. It builds trust in the team and between the officers/leadership and the front line providers.

In Scott's absence, Ray leads the team of Caleb, Dr. Hill and our special guest firefighter Brian Abbott, currently with the City of Elyria Fire Department. PTSD is higher in firefighters: 14.6% to 22%, compared to 6.8% in the general population. Depression is also higher in firefighters: 11% in firefighters, compared to 6.7% in the general population.  Firefighter thoughts of suicide are nearly d...

The crew traveled to Caleb's home department, Munson Fire, Department, to bring closure to the recent discussion of caring for neonate patient in the EMS setting.  Thank you Dr. Olicker for joining us this month!

The crew and Dr. Olicker start to put a close on this additional series regarding caring for neonate patients in the EMS environment.   Pediatric cardiology kicks this segment off and then the crew discusses "delivery head trauma" and wraps up with correcting developmental milestones for specific neonate patients.

Neonates with fevers start this discussion as we are still with Arielle Olicker, MD a clinician educator in the division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at U.H. We then go on to discuss vaccination differences between cultures and how to calm the parents/caretakers once EMS arrives.

The crew is back with Arielle Olicker, MD a clinician educator in the division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at U.H. In no particular order, this episode reviews the neonate patient born into an opioid dependent situation as well as patients born with physical and/or mental impairments and appropriate sedation agents an dosages.

In this month's episode, we discuss EMS Pharmacy with our guest, Derek Frost, a system EMS pharmacist. We explore the challenges of managing medications in the field, how to prevent errors, and the best practices for ensuring patient safety. #prehospitalparadigmpodcast  

As the team starts to wrap up the the discussion of demystifying EMS pharmacology, they discuss, what it means to "lock up" the controlled substances and what the potential realistic ramifications might be of not doing that properly. They also dig into the challenges of calculating the varied pediatric dosages within the EMS scenario.  What steps have been taken with the UH EMS system, over 1000 s...

The team continues the pharmacology discussion with UH Portage's pharmacy manager, Derek Frost.  Remember kicking around trade/brand names vs. generic name in your day?  What steps have YOU taken to reduce confusion? What drugs constitute "controlled substances?" How can we improve automated decision-making support of potentially conflicting medications?

The team gathers with Derek Frost, UH Portage pharmacy manager, to talk about all things pharmacology including trying to analyze and simplify the science behind pharmacology. In Part 1, the team digs right in and talks about medication errors evaluation and elimination there of.