Pharmacology
The pharmacology topic includes a variety of news, information, videos and feature articles about the science of drug action on biological systems.
Drug addiction is a serious issue in EMS, but so is stealing drugs for a profit; involving law enforcement helps determine the true nature of the crime
Rampart is the cornerstone of a sophisticated emergency medical system with cutting-edge goals that mirror some of the leading ideas in healthcare reform, community paramedicine and mobile integrated healthcare
Pain is one of the primary reasons people call 911; there’s a growing concern in EMS that providers aren’t doing enough to assess, treat and relieve pain
Cooper EMS paramedics can now administer extended-release buprenorphine in the field, giving overdose patients longer treatment coverage and more time to connect with follow-up care
Investigators say an Islamorada firefighter/paramedic took a partially used vial after a call and falsified records
The Council Bluffs Fire Department has partnered with OneDose to calculate medication doses, helping paramedics deliver faster and more accurate care
OneDose’s new eMACC app digitizes medication cross-checks for EMS, aiming to reduce errors and streamline protocol updates
EMS providers debate whether making IV acetaminophen the first-line option improves patient care or limits provider judgment
Sarasota County Fire Department has removed opioids from front-line apparatus and now uses IV acetaminophen to treat moderate to severe pain in the prehospital setting
The St. Paul Fire Department has expanded the use of Suboxone on advanced life support ambulances citywide
The Westford Fire Department has expanded its capabilities, allowing paramedics to provide early antibiotic treatment to patients with suspected septic shock
Research Monitor
Lessons in preparing for high-risk intubations and avoiding peri-intubation hypotension
A $6,687 grant helped the Seekonk Fire Department purchase two IV medication infusion pumps, improving the ability to deliver lifesaving care during transport
Critical insights on the safe administration of ketamine, versed, lorazepam, ativan and haloperidol
A wrongful death lawsuit claims Hayward police and Falck paramedics repeatedly failed during the restraint and chemical sedation of a suspect, intensifying scrutiny of use of midazolam
Hypothermic patients, multi-systems trauma and slippery scenes present difficult decision-making challenges for rescuers
Look for tampered packaging, excessive use and false documentation to identify a drug diversion in your EMS agency
We asked readers for advice on learning and studying pharmacology and received dozens of fantastic responses
Michael Fraley breaks down what paramedics need to know about what’s changed — and what hasn’t — in the new resuscitation guidance
In this episode learn the 5 diagnoses for altered mental status that can kill your patient emergently
A flight paramedic shares her harrowing experience of a severe allergic reaction to medication and her gratitude to the flight nurse who treated her
Examining how IM epinephrine increases treatment timing, frequency and survival
Spoiler alert, we are terrible at giving epinephrine to anaphylaxis patients. But we’re going to fix this right now!
Powell County EMS crew faces a hearing after learning that only wilderness paramedics can administer antivenom
Steve Whitehead asks the tough question: Are life-saving interventions turning deadly when managing behavioral health emergencies?
The former Action Ambulance employee alleges retaliation after reporting violations, including expired controlled substance vials, failure to restock certain controlled substances and failure to maintain inventory
Chiefs say Dr. Carl Schultz endangers patients, demoralizes crews by refusing prehospital blood transfusions, ketamine, magnesium and opioid-care pilots already used statewide
Seattle has cut overdose deaths 20% since 2024 and strengthened its Health 99 post-overdose response team
Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD) compares the effectiveness of two parenteral analgesics in the prehospital setting
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