Can Morphine be mixed in 50 ml mini bags for easier administration & easier titration?

If I want a faster onset of pain relief can I go straight to Ketorolac IV?

Can I only give Fentanyl if my patient doesnt qualify for Morphine?

When are PCPs going to get some strong pain medications?

I have a question regarding our new Emergency Childbirth Medical Directive. My understanding from the protocol is that we can stay on scene to deliver a breech presentation, but for a limb presentation we must transport immediately. I know that we can deliver a complete breech and a frank breech, but what about a footling breech? Is that considered to be a limb presentation that requires immediate transport?

Question: In regards to the new BLS 3.0.1 under the paramedic prompt card for acute stroke protocol contraindications, it clearly states CTAS 2 and/or uncorrected airway, breathing or circulatory problem. My question in regards to this contraindication is does this automatically make a patient a CTAS level 1 when they are presenting with all signs and symptoms of a stroke and meet stroke protocol or does this mean that any other issues (i.e. chest pain making them a CTAS 2) puts them out of stroke protocol?

Question: As per the ALS PCS, why is there a deliberate gap between normotension and hypotension?

Question: Case – Adult patient experiencing an asthma attack. Wheezing in all fields (air entry in all fields) and tachypnea. Historically, we’ve been taught to administer Epi in cases of ‘silent chest’, absent air entry in any fields or patient requiring BVM ventilation. The BVM ventilation has always been associated with diminished air entry/silent chest, but not really with hyperventilation. The old BLS stated to assist with BVM ventilation in any patient with a RR>28. Does this mean that if the patient has RR>28, therefore requiring BVM ventilation, he/she SHOULD receive Epi even if there is air entry (albeit wheezing) in all fields?

Question: Im a recent graduate from the paramedic program and was wondering if I can get some feedback regarding the hypoglycemia treatment. The new protocol that came into play that now includes D10, I was curious what the reasoning was for choosing D10 over D50? Is there anything specific separating the 2 options of treatment?

Question: With the recent training surrounding hemorrhage control will we potentially see TXA administration added to our medical directives? Also wondering if you see pelvic binding brought into our skill set in the future?

Question: Can ACPs use xylometazoline nasal spray to aid in the treatment of epistaxis? It seems to be the go to start to treatment in the Emergency Department, why not get started prehospital?

Question: In relation to the Adult Analgesia directive, one of the indications is “acute musculoskeletal back strain”, does this include injuries such herniated discs, radiculopathies etc.?

Question: The Opioid Medical Directive allows for Naloxone to be administered 0.8mg SC/IM/IN and 0.4mg IV. The IV route allows the paramedic to titrate to restore the patient’s respiratory status. Can this titration also be applied to the SC/IM/IN?

Question: My question is in regards to the moderate to severe allergic reaction and medical cardiac arrest. With the new changes, the moderate to severe allergic reaction directive allows us to administer 2 doses of epinephrine q 5 minutes to a max of 2. If a patient were to go into cardiac arrest due to anaphylaxis (after already administering 2 doses of epinephrine), are we still able to administer another dose under the medical cardiac arrest directive? (Leading to a total of 3 doses).

Question: There was a discussion among crews surrounding DNRs and our permitted treatment such as epi can be given for anaphylaxis or silent chest, but not as a pressor as listed on the DNR. That being said, I found a previous Ask MAC question where you addressed isolated epi administration as not very effective (where the BVM is contraindicated due to a valid DNR) in the situation of severe bronchoconstriction. Wondering if the same logic applies to the setting of anaphylactic VSA patients? If we cannot begin CPR or utilize a BVM, should we give isolated epi to that patient, as it is not being given as a pressor? (I’m of the opinion that a VSA patient gets no treatment in the presence of a DNR).

Question: I was looking through Ask MAC and there are a few questions pertaining to cardiac arrest and shocks or no shocks of other responders. Are Paramedics are to include shocks delivered by the Fire Department prior to arrival in their treatment of a VSA patient?

My understanding from teachings in 2014/2015 is that if Fire delivered shocks we could count what they did. If they did not, we did not count their no shocks and conducted our own working towards the medical TOR which is also covered in the Summary of Changes document.

The question on ASK MAC seems to say if we trust the responders we can count everything I was hoping for a clarification that can be searched when the question comes up again.

Question: A couple questions with regards to D10. We have used D10 a few times now to treat hypoglycemia and have noticed some issues. It seems that for anyone with a BLG that is very low (say less than 2.0 for argument sake) the max dose of 10g will not get them over 4.0 mmol/L. Is there plans in the future to increase the dose? Perhaps something like if the patient is < 2.0 mmol/L then a 20g max or 4ml/kg loading dose followed by a 10g or 2ml/kg maintenance dose if necessary?

Second, with regards to Buretrol administration of D10, the process is very slow. Both the setup of the Buretrol and the infusion take quite a bit of time obviously more so if a second dose is required. Is there any reason a 60ml syringe can’t be used (draw up and push 60cc and follow up with 40cc) as a push administration instead of the Buretrol? For most situations the slow drip is okay but in the case of an agitated or aggressive patient the quicker option would be nice. I realize the benefits of D10 over D50 in not sky rocketing BGL but the way it is laid out now seems that we have gone too far the other way in not raising BGL enough.

Question: Can we draw up D10 in a 50cc syringe and administer it that way instead of going through the Buretrol?

Question: Are paramedics in Ontario authorized to adhere to a person’s DNR wishes documented on a completed ‘CCAC Plan of Treatment’ as an alternative to a completed ‘DNR Confirmation Form?

Question: If we are presented with a hypoglycemic patient that demonstrates signs and symptoms of a TIA/CVA (slurred speech, inability to hold arms/legs up or due to confusion a grip test) and once the hypoglycemia is reversed with treatment and those signs and symptoms are gone, can we now deliver Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen or Ketorolac if the patient complains of CA related pain or muscle strain as per the Adult Analgesic Protocol?

Question: Although very rare, how should Paramedics manage a uterine inversion?

Question: With the introduction of commercial tourniquets and hemostatic dressings for Soft Tissue Injuries/Uncontrolled bleeds in the BLSPCS 3.0, where does the OBHG and MOH stand on wound packing for hemorrhage control? It is generally accepted among TCCC guidelines as a part of basic hemorrhage control, and even taught as a part of First Aid with some organizations. Unfortunately the BLS 3.0 (or 2.xx as well) do not explicitly mention it as an option, as well it is technically prohibited under the Registered Health Professions Act which lists “Putting an instrument, hand or finger, into an artificial opening in the body” as a delegated act. Is this something that we will see added to our scope in the future? Why or why not?

Question: Our current stroke directive reads that 3.5 hours is the timeline from time of onset to stroke center. The new BLS reads that the time from onset to stroke center is 4.5 hours. Which timeline are we expected to follow as of Dec 11th?

Question: In the Bronchoconstriction Medical Directive, would a patient ever receive salbutamol followed by epinephrine? Is epi there in case that the patient does not respond to salbutamol and instead gets worse after salbutamol administration? If the patient does not require epi at first, but instead is given salbutamol, then gets worse requiring epi, could that epi administration follow with salbutamol again?

Question: How can someone differentiate between crackles found in Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema between those found in pneumonia?

Question: What are STEMI mimics and their types?

Question: The new BLS that will be introduced in December 11, 2017 mentions that treatment and transport refusal would require the completion of the refusal of service. The question is whether it is required to be completed for any refusal of treatment or just treatment with possible negative outcome to patient example refusing collar vs. Dimenhydrinate or any analgesic?

Question: This question is in regards to hypoglycemia mimicking a stroke. You arrive on scene and the patient is presenting with the classic signs of a stroke such as facial droop, arm drift etc. Patient is out of the stroke protocol since GCS was <10, and the patient was terminally ill due to cancer, with a valid DNR. I obtain a BGL and the BS comes back as a 3.0mmol, so I correct the hypoglycemic event. Moments later a second BS was taken and it comes back as 4.1mmol. Another stroke assessment was done, with no signs and or symptoms of a stroke. Patient then complains of severe cancer related pain in her abdomen. My question is now, would I have been save in not giving the patient any NSAIDS since one of the contraindications was "CVA or TBI within previous 24 hours?" I ended up giving Acetaminophen since I thought doing something is better than nothing for the patients abdomen pain. Along with that, I didn't know if the patient experienced both a CVA and a Hypoglycemic event together at the same time, or if the patient experienced a stroke hidden in with the hypoglycemic event. What are your thoughts?

Question: With respect to the updated July 17, 2017 medical directive changes, are hangings, electrocution and anaphylactic cardiac arrests considered reversible causes of arrest, and therefore subject to consideration for early transport after 1 analysis, OR are they to be run as full medical cardiac arrests/4 analyses, regardless of whether defibrillation is indicated? Thank you.

Question: When running an ALS arrest where the patient is showing a PEA on the monitor with an accompanying high ETCO2, could we assume that this patient is in fact perfusing to some degree and pulses are just not palpable for various reasons (obesity, severe hypotension, etc.)?

Secondly, if the above assumption is correct, would it be prudent to stop CPR provided the ETCO2 remains high and administer Dopamine in hopes of increasing BP until pulses are palpable and BP obtainable; or should the vasopressor effects of Epinephrine be sufficient to facilitate this so just continue with Epinephrine q5 min and CPR?

Question: In a situation where we are unable to get a blood glucose reading from the patient’s finger due to patient being combative/handcuffed, are we allowed to get it from the toes of the patient?

Question: In regards to the BLS version 2.0 – extremity injury, bone/joint, there’s a guideline regarding elbow dislocations. It says that if we encounter an elbow dislocation with nerovascular compromise, that we can contact receiving hospital or Base Hospital Physician for advice regarding manipulation or in-line traction. In the new BLS 3.0, this guideline has been left out. Are we still expected to perform the guideline if we ever encounter this, or has this been purposely taken out? Thank you.

Question: After consistent review of the new ALS, I just came across something that I am hoping you may clarify for me. In regards to the Medical Cardiac Arrest directive, under the “clinical considerations,” it states that under certain circumstances we transport after first rhythm analysis (and lists some examples). In the old ALS, one of these examples was “pediatrics” but now i notice that in the new ALS, also under clinical considerations, it mentions to plan for extrication and transport of pediatric cardiac arrest patients after 3 analyses. So, does this mean we do not transport after first rhythm analysis for pediatrics and must complete the full directive now?

Question: My question relates to narcan. Do you feel it is necessary in all cases to check BGL prior to administering narcan? The Medical Directive reads uncorrected hypoglycemia as contraindication but in the presence of no diabetic history and an incident history which is clearly indicating opioid overdose combined with critically low oxygen saturation and no ability to ventilate are we to invariably to take a BGL prior to treating obvious signs and symptoms of opioid overdose or can we use clinical judgement based on findings? It goes without saying that a BGL should eventually be taken on such a patient at some point but my question is with a critical patient, no history or finding consistent with low BGL and multiple indicators for OD are we not safe to presume OD, treat accordingly and follow up with BGL afterwards to rule out hypoglycemia?

Question: I have a question regarding the administration of narcan. Narcan seems to be given more often now that there is no patch point. The wording of the medical directive hasn’t changed though so just to confirm, are we still just to be giving it when we cannot adequately ventilate the patient? Example, if they are GCS of 3 and breathing inadequately but we are getting good compliance on the BVM and the patients vitals are otherwise stable, are we ok to not give it? If we do go ahead and give narcan to a patient who is NOT breathing and they start breathing on their own but are still GCS of 3 are we to stop there since we can now manage their airway or do we continue up to our maximum of 3 doses or until they become GCS of 15?

Question: If the Valsalva Maneuver is not a medically controlled act why would a PCP not be able to carry out this procedure for a symptomatic narrow complex, regular rhythm tachycardia that is symptomatic? PCP’s are supposed to be able to identify sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter which would be contraindicated and especially if no other immediate care is available. Why such be restricted to only ACP’s, again especially if no other immediate care is available?

Question: Why are all the directives based upon an urban setting assumption given that there are very rural areas in which paramedics work in besides big cities? Further to this, one could suggest that certain advanced skills are more appropriate if not life saving the further from a hospital. Has there ever been any consideration to consider such advanced care skills such as midazolam for seizures, needle thoracostomy, peds IO and even cricothyrotomy to name a few. Why are these not even considered in areas with transport times exceeding well over 1-2hrs. These are skills that overall can make a significant difference in patient outcomes especially when no other care is available. To add, these are not skills that can be deemed to be well learned for even experienced ACP’s as actual prevalence even in an urban setting is very low. Thus, the number needed learn position can be put forth ACP’s anymore than PCP’s but the difference in distance to more advanced care certainly can.

Question: One frustration or perhaps lack of knowing is why the Medical Directives differ so much from province to province even for PCPs. Does “evidence based medicine” stop at provincial borders or is it that interpretation and application of such depends more on who, as well as financial politics and liabilities more than evidence based medicine and timely patient care? I can provide examples but I do not think it is specifically necessary-helpful per say in answering the primary question. Look forward to your response.

Question: When the Ministry of Health’s DNR forms are filled out, can the section where the patient’s name goes have a sticker from the hospital with the patients name/health card #/DOB, etc. instead of having the name printed or does that make the form invalid. The form specifically states the patients name should be printed clearly. I wasn’t sure if the ID sticker was something we could accept instead or if that section can only be filled out by hand.

Question: In the 2015 ALS Companion Document Version 3.3 pg 13, it states this: “A clinical consideration states “Suspected renal colic patients should routinely be considered for Ketorolac”. More correctly, this statement should include NSAIDS like Ibuprofen. Ketorolac is preferred when the patient is unable to tolerate oral medication.

There is some confusion over the interpretation of this. I read this statement as suspected renal colic patients should be routinely screened for an NSAID (not just Ketorolac), and therefore should be given ibuprofen first instead, unless the patient cannot tolerate oral medication. My PPC is saying differently that you should be considering Ketorolac first, since the companion document cannot overrule the ALS Directives. What is the true purpose of this statement then?

Question: In a setting where you arrive on scene and you are presented with a patient who is unconscious and is hypotensive, the patient has a valid DNR. Can you still administer fluids to this patient or does that fall under the same category as inserting an OPA/NPA and BVM to a patient with a DNR?

Question: In a setting where you arrive on scene and you are presented with a patient who is unconscious and is hypotensive, the patient has a valid DNR. Can you still administer fluids to this patient or does that fall under the same category as inserting an OPA/NPA and BVM to a patient with a DNR?

Question: For teaching purposes. While assessing a patient, how important is it to determine any and all treatments or interventions provided to the patient by allied agencies, bystanders, self-administration or other medical professionals prior to the arrival of the Paramedics? How important is it to determine an accurate time line of those treatments or interventions? Is oxygen a treatment and/or intervention?

Question: Is PEEP being considered for inclusion into the paramedic scope of practice? I recently had a patient who was in CHF to the point of unconsciousness whom we would have absolutely given CPAP had he been conscious. Although PEEP isn’t exactly the same as CPAP, would it not have potentially provided some benefit?

Question: In the event we have a patient who is STEMI positive, with symptoms of CHF (crackles/pitting edema) who is hypertensive >140 systolic BP are we to treat with 0.8mg of nitro for the CHF or 0.4 mg under the ischemic chest pain protocol? Also with the new STEMI standard dropping down to 3 – 0.4mg SL doses of nitro maximum, will that change out CHF protocol for nitro administration if both problems present together?

Question: CPR guidelines: I understand that we start CPR with a patient less than 16 years old, heart rate less than 60 and signs of poor perfusion, agonal respirations as per the CPR guidelines. My question is if we have the same situation with an adult patient, what would be beneficial for this type of patient (CPR)?

Question: I’ve heard of crews being asked to transfer patients between facilities with indwelling tubes and lines that are not within their scope, and they don’t have suitable escorts. I had a colleague asked to transport a patient with a chest tube, without an RN escort, to which they refused, but recently saw a crew transporting a patient with a nasal epistax in-situ. I know these have the potential to migrate and cause airway obstruction so didn’t think we should move these without a hospital escort. Could the Base Hospital provide some direction so that it is clearer to paramedics as to what they should do in these cases?

Question: This question may be a very rare situation but I have not been able to get an answer from any paramedics I have asked. As per the “Patching” section in the introduction of the ALS PCS the literature states “BHP cannot be reached despite reasonable attempts by the paramedic to establish contact, a paramedic may initiate the required treatment without the requisite online authorization if the patient is in severe distress and, in the paramedics opinion, the medical directive would otherwise apply”. In a situation where a cardioversion is required and the unstable patient is still conscious, it is fairly common practice to ask for sedation and pain control (i.e. Morphine/Midazolam) along with orders for cardioversion. If multiple BH patches cannot be completed and in the paramedics opinion cardioversion is required for the unstable but conscious patient, are we able to administer sedation and pain control? I ask this because there is not a directive that directly deals with pain and sedation prior to delivering the cardioversion, but is common to ask for such direction.

Question: What is the rationale for the 18 years old and greater age for naloxone administration? (i.e. legal, risk factors?)

Question: I have a question about the benefits between using MDI vs. nebulized ventolin. I understand the direction is to use MDI as the preferred route. It certainly makes sense with anybody who is infectious but seems counterintuitive when you could be administering drug with oxygen at the same time as with the case of nebulization. There is also a perceived psychological benefit when patients can feel and see the mist. I have heard about studies that were done at Sick Kids to support MDI use. I was unable to locate them. Is there any other evidence you can suggest as to why MDI is the preferred route? Thank you so much for your time.