10/13/2015 - Improve CHF patient outcomes, CPAP device, PSOW wrap-up

During the EMS Live in Wisconsin program on Tuesday, October 13, we discussed the following:

1. At the start of the program we received a Community paramedicine update from PAAW President Patrick Ryan.

2. At 5:00 minutes into the program we discussed an innovative CPAP device manufactured by Pulmodyne.  Refer to pictures rotating in slide show.

3. At 20:00 minutes into the program we learned about an improved about a congestive heart failure patient (CHF) treatment and outcomes with a technique being used at Lifestar EMS using high dose nitro.  Assistant training coordinating Tyler Christifulli discussed the procedure approved by their local medical director.  This procedure is outside the "standard of care" and requires local medical director approval.  Tyler provided the following supporting information regarding high dose nitro for CHF.
 
Emcrit Podcast: http://emcrit.org/podcasts/scape/
 
Crashing Patients: http://crashingpatient.com/medical-surgical/cardiology/heart-failure-acute-pulmonary-edema.htm/
 
Annals EM 1997: http://crashingpatient.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/nitro-abstract.png
 
Piyush Mallick Study: http://emcrit.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/Nitro-Bolus-Abstract.pdf
 
Video of High Dose Nitro in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAiJQeddf6I

4. At 40:00 minutes into the program Paramedic Systems of Wisconsin (PSOW) Conference Director Dan Williams discussed some of this year's topics and what was top of mind with EMS leaders in Wisconsin.  The conference was held in Green Bay and concluded on Friday, September 25.