Beyond The Artefact

In this episode we dive into the evidence behind when paramedics should consider withholding resuscitation. We consider the concepts of decision making in both medical and traumatic cardiac arrest. The episode ends with a discussion about how to communicate effectively with family and friends when telling them that resuscitation is not appropriate. And, as always, Matt winds up the episode with a fun factoid. 

In this episode, Matt and Simon explore the evidence behind the paramedic assessment and management of crush injuries and crush syndrome. The epidemiology and pathophysiology of crush syndrome are discussed along with the critical review of some of the supporting literature for crush injuries and crush syndrome. 

In this episode, Simon and Matt explore how stroke is not an accident along with many of the various assessment tools that are used by paramedics to determine if a patient is likely to be having a stroke. While Simon talks about the sensitivity and specifity of each assessment tool, Matt explores the pathophysiology of strokes and discusses what other conditions might mimic a stroke. 

The Team at Beyond the Artefact are excited to welcome our first ever guest on the show, Professor Steve Dunjey. Steve is an Emergency Physician and currently the head of Trauma at Royal Perth Hospital, the State Trauma Centre in Western Australia. We explore the concept of trauma prevention through road safety campaigns and the role paramedics play in both the prevention of trauma as public health advocates, and as the primary medical responders to the most severe trauma cases. 

In this month's episode, we farewell Michelle as a member of the Beyond the Artefact Team. Simon and Matt acknowledge that the month of May is 'Stop the Bleed' month, exploring all things haemorrhage control, taking a dive into the evidence of torniquets and pressure dressings. 

In this episode, your hosts, Matt, Michelle and Simon explore everything a paramedic needs to know about GHB use. After defining what GHB is, we discuss the epidemiology and pathophysiology of GHB overdose before tackling the research behind the assessment and management of these patients as it relates to paramedic practice. 

In this episode we investigate the evidence and intricacies of the pressure immoblisation technique (PIT). As the weather is warming up here in Australia, we thought this was a topic worthy of refreshing. We discuss the indications for the PIT, how it should be applied and the evidence supporting it's use, all while attempting to keep Matt's passion for the topic under control. 

In this episode we explore the assessment of foot and ankle injuries from the paramedic point of view. We explore the use of the pneumonic RICE and compare it to the updated pneumonic Peace & Love. Some handy assessment tips are given out along the way.

In this episode, we explore the evidence behind the use of second line agents that paramedics could consider in status epilepticus that isn't responding to benzodiazepines. Ask yourself what you have available to you and if the evidence supports a change in practice?

In this episode, we explore everything a paramedic needs to know about nicotine overdose, a rare, yet high risk presentation for paramedics. 

In this introduction episode of Beyond the Artefact, you will discover what the podcast is trying to achieve and learn a little about Matt, Simon and Michelle, the creators and presentors of Beyond the Artefact, a podcast for paramedics, by paramedics.