Opioid overdose deaths on the rise, precursor symptoms for cardiac arrest, moving away from a load and go mentality, plus we’re going to take a special look at Carbon Monoxide Poisoning today with a Disaster Podcast crossover segment with Dr. Joe Holley. If that's what you're looking for, you found it, right here on this week's episode of the MedicCast.

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MedicCast Episode 469
Good day and welcome to this week's episode of the MedicCast. I'm your host, Jamie Davis the Podmedic and I'd like to welcome you to this week's show. In this week’s EMS news items we’ll look at some new research into potential warning signs prior to cardiac arrest that could save patient lives.

Then, in a special crossover segment from the Disaster Podcast, we have EMS Medical Director, Doctor Joe Holley from the Paragon Medical Education Group in to talk with us about carbon monoxide poisoning. Are you ready for assessing these challenging patients and what can you do to treat them aggressively? We’ll find out later in the show after the news.

News:

New Research Into Precursor Signs of Cardiac Arrest

Opioid Overdose Deaths Hit Record Highs in U.S.

Getting Rid of the EMS Load and Go Mentality
EMS Tip of the Week: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Dealing with carbon monoxide exposures during winter disaster responses leads to a clinical overview with Dr. Joe Holley. In this crossover episode of the Disaster Podcast, I am joined by co-host Sam Bradley and by Paragon Medical Education Group’s Dr. Joe Holley to talk about the dangers and risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.

In the midst of major disasters, especially in the winter months, community members may be tempted to use generators or other combustion sources to stay warm in the midst of cold weather. This increases the risk of exposure to the deadly gas carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can cause sudden illness and death if present in sufficient concentration in the ambient air.

The symptoms and signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are variable and nonspecific. The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and altered mental status. The clinical presentation of CO poisoning is the result of its underlying systemic toxicity. Its effects are caused not only by impaired oxygen delivery but also by disrupting oxygen utilization and respiration at the cellular level, particularly in high-oxygen demand organs (i.e., heart and brain).

Check out this segment with myself, Sam and Dr. Joe. Just a quick note.