January Tip of the Month - Stroke/CVA

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the third leading cause of death in Canada and the tenth largest contributor to disability-adjusted life years. Commonly known as strokes, they occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, leading to loss of brain function. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, caused by blockage in a blood vessel, and hemorrhagic, caused by bleeding in the brain.

As temperatures drop, hypothermia becomes a critical condition that paramedics must be prepared to identify and manage effectively. Hypothermia occurs when a patient's core body temperature falls below 35°C, leading to a progressive decline in physiological function. Recognizing and managing hypothermia promptly is vital to prevent further deterioration and ensure optimal patient outcomes. This month's tip focuses on hypothermia recognition and management, incorporating guidelines from the Basic Life Support Patient Care Standards (BLS-PCS) and the Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards (ALS-PCS), along with best practices for managing these challenging cases.

Tip of the Month: Mastering 12-Lead ECG Interpretation of STEMI

Accurate interpretation of a 12-lead ECG is essential for paramedics in identifying ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarctions (STEMI) in the prehospital setting. While computerized interpretation tools offer valuable support, paramedics must be proficient in recognizing subtle signs, such as ST-segment elevation, reciprocal changes, and potential mimics like left bundle branch block or pericarditis. This skill enables paramedics to differentiate true STEMI from other conditions, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions, such as activating a STEMI bypass protocol or expediting transport to a PCI-capable facility, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

The successful handover

Effective communication between paramedics and receiving staff is crucial in the delivery of emergency medicine. The interaction of the patient report serves as a vital link in the chain of patient care, ensuring that critical information regarding a patient’s condition is accurately relayed and understood. Clear communication impacts positively on patient outcomes, patient safety, and promotes timely and high quality care. As emergencies can be fast paced and stressful, communication failures often result from a disorganized approach, therefore structure is paramount in ensuring a successful patient report.