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March 23, 2024 – FlightBridgeED, a leader in providing comprehensive, up-to-date online and live critical care education, and EZResus, your life saving resuscitation companion for critical minutes, are excited to announce a groundbreaking strategic partnership. This alliance is set to transform the landscape of emergency medical education by integrating thepower of EZResus to navigate the complexities of…

In the dynamic landscape of cardiac care, Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) stand out as a beacon of hope and innovation. For patients grappling with advanced heart failure, where traditional medications and lifestyle adjustments fall short, LVADs offer a lifeline, bridging the gap between illness and a chance at extended life. These sophisticated devices are…

The realm of emergency medical services (EMS) is one of constant evolution, where professionals are continually called upon to enhance their skills, knowledge, and expertise. The transition from an EMT to a Critical Care Paramedic epitomizes this commitment to growth and excellence. This journey, enriched by mentorship and continuous learning, is both challenging and rewarding….

Cleveland, Ohio- FlightBridgeED proudly announces the appointment of its esteemed educators, Ashley Bauer and Eric Bauer, as Adjunct Faculty at the prestigious Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the field of critical care transport medicine. The duo will be teaching the Hybrid Fundamentals of Critical Care…

I picked up a new book the other day called The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman. Within the first few pages, I got hit with a couple of fantastic gems that translate so well to our world. I will be adapting some of Josh’s concepts to us so that you can walk away with some…

Join Eric and Will Heuser, PharmD, discussing “The Influence of Low pH on Efficacy of Critical Care Pharmacology.” Changes in acid-base balance have a profound influence on many aspects of the action of drugs. This is illustrated by data on the absorption of drugs from the stomach and intestine, changes in the distribution of drugs…

We are thrilled to announce that the Day 1 opening Keynote Speaker for the FlightBridgeED Air and Surface Transport Symposium 2024 (FAST24) is none other than Scott D. Weingart! As a renowned physician specializing in Resuscitation and Emergency Department Critical Care, Scott has dedicated his career to bringing “Upstairs Care” “Downstairs” – a mission to…

In the fast-paced and high-stress world of air medical services, where every second counts, patient safety is paramount. However, a lingering challenge in this critical field is the reluctance of healthcare providers to voice their concerns or speak up when they notice safety issues. This reluctance can stem from various factors, including the hierarchical nature…

September 11, 2001, and the Mental Health of First Responders The tragic events of September 11, 2001, have left an indelible mark on the world’s collective memory. The devastating terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives and left countless others traumatized. While the…

Since the 2012 Berlin Definition of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), several developments have supported the need for an expansion of the definition, including the use of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO), expanding the use of pulse oximetry in place of arterial blood gases, use of ultrasound for chest imaging, and the need for applicability…

This is the third episode of a special podcast series on obstetric critical care.  Although I am the sole host of this podcast, the content was reviewed and edited by Dr. Elizabeth Garchar, MD, FACOG.  She is an OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist who has a particular interest in obstetric critical care.  She…

In this episode, Eric looks at warm fluids… or lack thereof in resuscitation. We will cover the current evidence around hypothermia in resuscitation secondary to the infusion of cold IV fluids. We discuss current strategies in warming fluids before administration in warm and cold ambient environments and the impact on body systems that ultimately contribute…

While relatively straightforward, the management of pelvic trauma is not without its controversies and conversations. In the prehospital environment, new adjuncts and approaches are shaping the outcomes of these injuries. Numbers and Data How often do prehospital clinicians encounter these pelvic trauma? Pelvic injuries are actually more frequent than cervical spine injuries in the setting…

This is the second of a special podcast series on obstetric critical care.  I am joined on this series by Dr. Elizabeth Garchar, MD, FACOG.  She is an OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist who has a particular interest in obstetric critical care.  She is also unique in that she flies regularly with our…

Shock is the final common pathway before death. No matter what the etiology or insult to the human body, we all will enter into a state of shock that reduces oxygen delivery to the point that cells die, then tissues die, organs become dysfunctional, then organ systems fail, and finally the whole machinery of human…

The electricity had gone off on that hot July day. The mother’s phone kept dinging with texts from the power company with an estimated fix time, which kept growing longer and longer. Meanwhile, the temperature in the house kept climbing, and the three small children grew more upset. After an hour, the mother decided it…

Ketamine is a non-barbiturate dissociative anesthetic originally synthesized in the 1960s. In lower doses, ketamine acts as a potent analgesic, causing it to be adapted to manage pain during the Vietnam War.(1,2) Ketamine acts as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. NMDA receptors are a type of glutamate receptor, which bind with glutamate, the principal excitatory…

Of all the illnesses, diseases, and petulance that can befall a human being in the modern world, traumatic injury reigns supreme as the unbeatable, unpreventable source of morbidity and mortality. Since the 1960s, prehospital systems and trauma systems have been working on solutions to curb death and disability, and while it has been reduced to…

This is the first of a special podcast series on obstetric critical care.  I am joined on this series by Dr. Elizabeth Garchar, MD, FACOG.  She is an OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist who has a special interest in obstetric critical care.  She is also unique in that she flies regularly with our…

Introduction A crew responds to a motor vehicle collision involving a passenger vehicle into a tree. The scene size-up illustrates moderate front-end damage and airbag deployment. Further analysis of the car shows no apparent signs of passenger compartment intrusion, steering wheel deformity, dash deformity, evidence of rollover, or window spidering. Your patient (75 male), a…

Introduction Severe crush injuries have the power to shatter lives in an instant. Imagine the sheer force of an external crushing weight bearing down on the human body, inflicting direct tissue trauma and triggering a cascade of devastating consequences. From muscle necrosis to neurologic dysfunction, the aftermath of a severe crush injury can be a…

We are so excited to announce that Mr. Graham Pierce BS, MICP, FP-C, CCP-C, WP-C will receive this award first! Mr. Pierce’s contributions to the flight and critical care paramedic community go far beyond his work with the IBSC – He is the heart and soul of the Certified Flight Paramedic.

Tourniquets: a simple, time-honored device with roots dating back to the battlefields of ancient civilizations. If you’re picturing a ragtag concoction of sticks and bandages, give your mental image a 21st-century makeover! Today, tourniquets are sophisticated, researched, and increasingly vital tools in pre-hospital and critical care transport. Recently, there’s been an influx of research examining…

Pediatric pre-hospital and critical care transport medicine is undergoing a revolutionary change due to the ongoing evolution and expansion of telemedicine. This trending topic is currently reshaping the nature of patient care, enabling healthcare professionals to provide quality care regardless of the distance between them and the child in need. Telemedicine in Pediatric Care Telemedicine…

Introduction: When you hear the term “FRAT,” you might think of wild parties, toxic masculinity, and college shenanigans (“Toga, Toga, Toga, Toga…”) But in the world of air medical and critical care transport medicine services, FRAT takes on a whole new meaning. Flight Risk Assessment Tools (FRAT) are the superheroes of safety, ensuring smooth and…