The RPPEO has rescinded Medical Advisory 2012-006 "Drug Shortage: Atropine preload."
With the coming into effect of the Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards version 4.9 on February 1, 2022, the Symptomatic Bradycardia Medical Directive now indicates an IV atropine dose of 1mg. This dose may be repeated twice.
Paramedics should provide treatment consistent with this directive.
The Regional Paramedic Program for Eastern Ontario today rescinded Medical Advisory 2023-02 entitled, "DimenHYDRINATE (Gravol) for Patients 65 and Older."
Paramedics should now follow guidance provided by the Ministry of Health on consideration and use of dimenHYDRINATE when ondansetron is not available.
Read more …Rescinded: Medical Advisory on DimenHYDRINATE (Gravol) for Patients 65 and Older
The Regional Paramedic Program for Eastern Ontario (RPPEO) has released a Clinical Bulletin on Measles Management, developed in response to the 2025 Ontario measles outbreak.
This Clinical Bulletin reflects collaboration with paramedic services across Eastern Ontario, with particular thanks to the Ottawa Paramedic Service for providing valuable feedback on infection control and transport practices.
Measles is a highly infectious disease transmitted in the air.
The bulletin focuses on core best practices in suspected measles, including:
These elements are recommended for any scenario where airborne transmission of infectious disease, such as measles, is suspected.
Paramedics should be familiar with your paramedic service's policies and procedures on infection control. These are developed in consultation with provincial guidance including:
Public Health Ontario – Routine Practices and Additional Precautions
Ontario Ministry of Health – Patient Care and Transportation Standards (PDF)
Routine Practices are the standard infection prevention and control measures applied to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status. They include:
Hand Hygiene: Perform before and after patient contact, after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, and after removing gloves.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Based on a point-of-care risk assessment, select appropriate PPE to prevent exposure to blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or contaminated equipment. This may include gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection.
Environmental Controls: Implement measures such as proper cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces, safe handling of sharps and waste, and appropriate patient placement.
Administrative Controls: Ensure policies and procedures are in place for infection prevention and control, staff education, and monitoring compliance.
Airborne Precautions are additional measures used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by the airborne route (e.g., measles, tuberculosis). They include:
N95 Respirator: Wear a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator when entering the patient care area.
Patient Placement: Place the patient in an enclosed room with the door closed. Hospitals may place patients in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR), if available.
Patient Transport: Limit patient movement outside a defined space. If transport is necessary, have the patient wear a surgical mask to minimize dispersal of infectious droplets. Inform the receiving hospital of the incoming patient suspected to have infectious disease (i.e., measles)
Additional PPE: Depending on the situation and risk assessment, additional PPE such as gloves, gowns, and eye protection may be required.
It is important to note that PPE requirements may vary based on the specific clinical situation and the results of a point-of-care risk assessment. Healthcare providers should always assess the risk of exposure and select appropriate PPE accordingly.
The Clinical Bulletin on Measles Management is now posted in the RPPEO Clinical Bulletin Library and can also be accessed directly here: RPPEO Clinical Bulletin on Measles Management.
Fall 2023 CME for Advanced Care Paramedics launches online October 11, 2023.
Read more …RPPEO Fall 2023 CME Launches October 11
The Regional Paramedic Program for Eastern Ontario (RPPEO) has revised several of our policies.
Paramedics and others for whom RPPEO policies provide guidance should note that there are two important updates to policies CLI 180 and CLI 230. Most of the other policies reviewed received minor revisions that do not substantively impact the guidance.
The revised policies and all RPPEO Policies are available in the online Policy Manual. Read on for more detail on the policy updates.
Read more …RPPEO Policies Revised: Policy CLI 180 Retired
You'll find the complete online Spring 2022 CME ready for you now in MedicLEARN!
This entirely online CME launched on May 11, 2022. While this CME activity is directed at Advanced Care Paramedics certified at the RPPEO, Primary Care Paramedics are welcome to view or complete these modules as well!
Paramedics have until the end of the current certification period - January 31, 2023 - to complete Spring 2022 CME and any other requirements for maintenance of certification.
RPPEO Spring 2024 CME is launching online on Wednesday, March 13. The RPPEO's Spring continuing medical education module is aimed at ACPs. PCPs from paramedic services supporting participation are also welcome to participate in the Spring session.
RPPEO today emailed a 
Spring 2024 CME Launch Letter containing details of the education to each certified paramedic in our region.
Paramedic services will have participants' class schedule as we move into the classroom period this Spring.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
The online module for RPPEO's Spring 2025 Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is now available on MedicLEARN!
All Advanced Care Paramedics and those Primary Care Paramedics participating in Spring CME are encouraged to complete the online portion as soon as you can. The module available on MedicLEARN must be complete before paramedics undertake the classroom portion.
This year’s CME, "The Competency Challenge: Mastering Rare but Essential Skills," takes a hybrid approach, blending online learning with hands-on, in-class training. The focus is on building confidence and mastery in high-acuity skills that paramedics must be ready to perform, even if they are used infrequently in the field.
📌 Skill Mastery & Critical Interventions – Practical training in essential paramedic skills.
📌 Cognitive Practice & Visualization – Enhancing performance through mental rehearsal techniques.
Key Skill Areas:
✔ Advanced Airway Management
✔ CVAD Access
✔ Cardioversion
✔ Pacing
✔ Magill Forceps Use
Spring CME launched online on March 31, 2025. The classroom component is scheduled in collaboration with paramedic services and paramedics will receive information on their schedule from their service.
The Spring 2025 Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is launching on March 31, 2025, bringing a high-impact, skills-focused training experience designed to help paramedics refine rare but essential interventions.
This year’s CME, "The Competency Challenge: Mastering Rare but Essential Skills," takes a hybrid approach, blending online learning with hands-on, in-class training. The focus is on building confidence and mastery in high-acuity skills that paramedics must be ready to perform, even if they are used infrequently in the field.
📌 Skill Mastery & Critical Interventions – Practical training in essential paramedic skills.
📌 Cognitive Practice & Visualization – Enhancing performance through mental rehearsal techniques.
Key Skill Areas:
✔ Advanced Airway Management
✔ CVAD Access
✔ Cardioversion
✔ Pacing
✔ Magill Forceps Use
This year, RPPEO is reintroducing an evaluation component during the in-class practical sessions. This is not a test, but a formative process designed to:
✔ Support skill retention with structured observation and feedback.
✔ Ensure paramedics maintain competency in infrequently used interventions.
✔ Promote accountability in skill development and patient care.
📧 Check Your Email
All paramedics will receive the Spring 2025 CME Launch Letter in their RPPEO-registered email inbox. Be sure to review it for full details.
🚑 Complete the Online Module
The Spring 2025 CME online module will be available in MedicLEARN starting March 31, 2025.
📝 Attend In-Person Training
Your paramedic service will coordinate scheduling for the in-class component, where you’ll apply your learning through case studies, scenarios, and hands-on practice.
✅ Mandatory for ACPs, Recommended for PCPs
All ACPs must complete Spring CME as part of their Maintenance of Certification requirements. PCPs are encouraged to participate to enhance their skill set.
📄 Read the Full Launch Letter
For complete details, download the Spring 2025 CME Launch Letter.
📢 Questions? Contact the RPPEO Education Team by email education@RPPEO.ca.
Update: Face-to-face Spring CME canceled!
Due to the measures we are taking to stem the spread of COVID-19, the RPPEO has canceled classroom CME this Spring. In its place, we will be offering virtual CME for ACPs. The deadline for CME completion is January 31, 2021.
Once the complete content of virtual Spring CME is ready, we will notify paramedics.
The online pre-learning modules are LIVE irght now. Head over to MedicLEARN for the experience.
Read more …Spring CME 2020 starts in March!
