American Ambulance EMS Podcast

19. A conversation with Todd Valeri

Join us on this podcast as we meet the owner and CEO of American Ambulance.  Mr. Todd Valeri shares his inspirational story of how he got into paramedicine.  He also discusses his vision for the agency and shares with us insight into his involvement in EMS at a regional and statewide level.

18. Drowning

Dry drowning, wet drowning, near drowning…What really matters when you find someone who has been drowning? Is it necessary to always protect c-spine if it makes airway management difficult? Listen to the team’s conversation as they highlight the most important aspects of submersion injuries. Our guest this episode is Paramedic Tasha Mulvena. Thank you Tasha, for going above and beyond the call of duty and taking care of patients the way no one else can. 

17. COVID-19 Update (9/22/2020)

16. Smoke Inhalation

In today's episode, we discuss smoke inhalation, specifically the toxic gases carbon monoxide and cyanide. Cyanide is a toxic gas formed from the combustion of plastic and petroleum products, which is basically everything a modern home/building is made out of. We discuss the mainstays of prehospital treatment for smoke inhalation, Oxygen, as well as cyanide antidotes carried by prehospital personnel in some EMS agencies in the US and Europe.  References: Prospective study of hydroxocobalam...

15. Methamphetamine Abuse

Much attention has been paid to opioid abuse in recent years; yet, in the Central Valley, we can trace many drug related accidents and illness to Methamphetamine. Co-host and resident Toxicologist Dr. Armenian has a wealth of knowledge to give you the tools you need, from history, to clinical presentation, to treatment. It may change how you care for your next patient. Our guest this episode is Derek Ratzel. Thank you Derek, for recognizing and treating some of the most unpredictable present...

14. CCEMSA QI Initiatives

Please join us and Special guest Mato Parker from the EMS Agency have an evidence based discussion surrounding the quality improvement initiatives for the Central California EMS Agency (CCEMSA).   SHOW NOTES: Brown J, Rosengart M, et al. Not all prehospital time is equal, Influence of scene time on mortality J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 Jul; 81(1): 93–100.   Nasser A, Nederpelt C, et al. Every Minute Counts: The impact for pre hospital response time and scene time on mortality of pene...

13. Non-accidental Trauma

Non-accidental trauma is something no one wants to talk about, but it is something you should always be thinking about. In this episode, the team discusses specific findings that should make you suspicious, or at least think twice, while you are transporting a child. You can be the difference between a healthy child and a fatal case report. Thank you to our guest, Ben Garcia, American Ambulance's Operation Manager, for his contribution to this episode, his knowledge and insight provided the ...

12. COVID-19 Update (8/6/2020)

11. Diabetic Emergencies

Diabetic complications are a common complaints faced by EMS daily. Tune in to hear paramedic Chris Zaczek share his story and listen to an evidence based discussion of hypoglycemia and other diabetic emergencies.

10. Heat Stroke

The Central Valley gets hot. Really hot. One of the most dangerous conditions that we see all of the time, yet tend to look over, is heat illness. This can range from mild exhaustion to lethal heat stroke. What’s the fastest way to cool a patient in the back of an ambulance? Our guest this episode is Paramedic Lonnie Taylor. Thank you Lonnie, for your incredible dedication and hard work each and every day.

9. Trauma Codes

Trauma calls can be chaotic, and code situations can be the most stressful call EMS providers receive. What happens if a patient codes in the setting of trauma? What do you need to remember to do differently? What is going to save that person’s life? Our guest this episode is Paramedic Lonnie Taylor. Thank you Lonnie, for staying cool in the most tense situations and being someone we can aspire to be.

8. Lightning

Lightning strikes are not common; however, about 30% of those struck by lightning die and up to 70% have permanent disabilities. Within one hour of injury, respiratory failure and arrhythmias can be lethal. The teams gives you the practical knowledge you can use if you are ever in this unique situation. Our guest this episode is John-Mark Bergen. Thank you John-Mark, for sharing your experiences so that we can all learn.

7. COVID-19 Update (6/11/2020)

6. Opioid Overdose

As the opioid epidemic evolves, there is a rise in synthetic opioid intoxication such as with fentanyl and use of naloxone in the prehospital setting. In this episode, we talk about the CCEMSA protocol along with assessment and management of these patients, with special attention paid to naloxone dosing. 

5. Snake Bite

4. COVID-19 Update (4/29/2020)

3. Dialysis Access Bleeding

3. Dialysis Access Bleeding

2. COVID-19 Update (4/16/2020)

2. COVID-19 Update (4/16/2020)

1. COVID-19

1. COVID-19

American Ambulance EMS Podcast - Episode 1: Heat Stroke

American Ambulance EMS Podcast - INTRO