A new RPPEO Medical Advisory is in effect.
Medical Advisory on Cardiac Arrest On-scene Resuscitation Time (2024-01) provides clinical practice guidance for RPPEO-certified paramedics.
You may find this Medical Advisory and other written RPPEO guidance in the Policies and Practices section of RPPEO.ca.
Ondansetron (Zofran) is the preferred medication over dimenHYDRINATE (Gravol) to treat nausea / vomiting in patients 65 and older. Paramedics can consult (patch) a Base Hospital Physician (BHP) if they believe an antiemetic is indicated for patients 65 and older and ondansetron is not available.
Paramedics should read Medical Advisory DimenHYDRINATE (Gravol) for Patients 65 and Older. If you have any questions, please contact quality@RPPEO.ca.
A new RPPEO Medical Advisory is in effect.
Medical Advisory on Discontinuation of Cardiac Monitoring in the ED 2023-01 provides clinical practice guidance for RPPEO-certified paramedics.
In accordance with our preoccupation for patient safety, the Medical Advisory on Discontinuation of Cardiac Monitoring in the ED 2023-01 presents guidance prioritizing patient safety in the face of scarce resources.
Read more …Medical Advisory on Discontinuation of Cardiac Monitoring in the ED
Following the identification of patient safety incidents regarding use of IV EPINEPHrine for anaphylaxis across the region, Dr. Richard Dionne, Regional Medical Director, has issued an important Medical Advisory for paramedics. This Medical Advisory identifies the patient safety risks associated with using the IV route in administration of EPINEPHrine for anyone who is profusing.
Paramedics should read Medical Advisory 2022-02. If you have any questions, please contact quality@RPPEO.ca.
The Ministry of Health's Emergency Health Regulatory and Accountability Branch has published a partial revision to the Provincial Equipment Standards for Ontario Ambulances version 3.6. The revised Equipment Standards come into force on Monday, December 20, 2021.
The Ministry has also provided a Summary of Changes to version 3.6 of the Equipment Standards.
For a complete list of all the up-to-date standards for Ontario paramedicine, please visit the Paramedic Practice Documents page on the Ministry of Health website.
If you have any questions about this update, contact ParamedicStandards@Ontario.ca.
The Ontario Base Hospital Group Education Subcommittee (OBHG ESC) has released its Companion Document for the Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards version 5.1.
The Companion Document is an educational tool that helps to provide clarification on changes and updates to the Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards.
We are seeking exceptional Primary and Advanced Care Paramedics to join our team as Education Facilitators.
As an Education Facilitator, you’ll take a lead role in strengthening paramedic practice across Eastern Ontario. Whether it’s through delivering Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions or assessing paramedics during Entry to Practice Certification, this role offers a meaningful way to contribute to clinical excellence.
Facilitate engaging educational sessions for paramedics.
Conduct assessments of paramedic performance and certification readiness.
Support curriculum development and educational quality improvement.
Certified by RPPEO as a paramedic (ACP or PCP) with 3–5 years of experience.
Skilled in interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and conflict resolution.
Comfortable working independently and collaboratively.
Willing to travel within Eastern Ontario.
Experience in adult education is an asset.
📅 New Deadline to Apply: Monday, June 23, 2025, at 23:59
📧 Submit your resume and cover letter to: info@rppeo.ca
🔗 Learn more and view the full job posting: Work With Us!
The Ontario Base Hospital Group (OBHG) is seeking applications for new representation from front line paramedics for all provincial committees:
Term: April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027
For more information about this opportunity and how to apply, please see the invitation on the OBHG website. Note that the application deadline is March 1, 2024.
More information about OHBG and its committees is available by visiting the Paramedics section of the OBHG website.
Remember when you could bring a page of notes into your math exam? Having all the formulas written out in your teeny-tiny scribble really helped not to forget that r was squared and c was a constant equal to the speed of light.
Now you've got a similar tool integrated into the Ontario Paramedic Clinical Guide.
The new tool isn't for math, though. The Ontario Base Hospital Group put the key highlights for applying the prehospital Canadian Triage and Acuity Score (CTAS) to your adult patients into graphic form.
Read more …OBHG's CTAS Cheat-Sheet
We're thrilled to share an exciting update that will improve patient care: the expansion of Online Medical Consultation (OMC) services to two more base hospitals - the Centre for Paramedic Education and Research (CPER) in Hamilton, and Health Sciences North (HSN) in Sudbury.
Palliative Care Treat & Refer Directives are now available.
The Palliative Care Medical Directives provide the standards of paramedic care for patients receiving palliative care who are attended by emergency paramedics participating in the Ministry of Health's special project, Paramedics Providing Palliative Care.
Enhance Your Pediatric Care Skills with this Expert Seminar on Trauma and Resuscitation in Ottawa on November 29
Join us on Wednesday, November 29 from 09h until 11h30 for a compelling seminar led by Jonathan Lee, an acclaimed Critical Care Paramedic and the founder of KinderMedic. Geared towards a diverse audience of healthcare professionals – paramedics, nurses, physicians, and more – this free seminar promises to elevate your knowledge and skills for managing critical pediatric trauma and resuscitation effectively.
During the session, Mr. Lee will delve into evidence-based concepts and key assessment findings crucial in pediatric resuscitation. Drawing from over 25 years of extensive experience in 911 response, critical care, aeromedical services, and pediatric critical care transport, Jonathan will also share insights on trauma for pediatric patients. These young patients often pose unique challenges, making this seminar a valuable learning opportunity for healthcare providers.
Read more …Pediatric Seminar November 29
RPPEO paramedics are invited to attend a live online discussion about the landmark "DOSE VF" study on October 6, 2023 at 10am. Register now for this event!
Read more …Registration now OPEN for DOSE VF Live Discussion October 6
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 (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.
RPPEO-certified paramedics are invited to participate in Trauma Day, an 8-hour intensive learning experience where you will learn and practise the latest techniques in trauma response and management.
RPPEO has partnered with Prescott-Russell Paramedic Service to bring paramedics this focused learning opportunity. Trauma expert Eric Gagnon, ACP, will show you the latest information and concepts in trauma management in this hands-on class.
Trauma Day is being offered in Kingston on November 22 and in Ottawa on December 20. A limited number of spots are available. ACPs receive priority booking since the content focuses on advanced care concepts and techniques.
Read more …Trauma Day for Elective CME
The Regional Paramedic Program for Eastern Ontario (RPPEO) is excited to announce the return of Trauma Days for 2024! Following the success of our full-day courses in Ottawa and Kingston last year, Eric Gagnon is back to deliver his popular and informative Trauma Day Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions.
Read more …Trauma Days Are Back in 2024!
The Regional Paramedic Program for Eastern Ontario (RPPEO) is excited to announce the return of Trauma Days for 2025! Following another year of success, Eric Gagnon is back to deliver his popular and informative Trauma Day Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions.
Read more …Trauma Days Are Back in 2025!
Patients can now have one support person accompanying them at an Ottawa Hospital (TOH) emergency room (ER).
On August 16, 2021, TOH updated its visitor restrictions. The Ottawa Hospital is currently in low visitor restrictions as part of the hospital’s ongoing response to COVID-19.
Paramedics are encouraged to inform family and loved ones of patients who would benefit from a support person that they may go to the TOH ER.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Sara-Pier Piscopo has joined the Regional Paramedic Program for Eastern Ontario as a new Associate Medical Director.
Dr. Piscopo is a pediatric emergency physician with a strong background in prehospital and transport medicine. She completed her fellowship in Prehospital and Transport Medicine (PTM) at the University of Ottawa, where she developed a keen understanding of EMS systems and care delivery beyond the hospital setting.
Her clinical work has focused on pediatric emergency medicine, and she brings a depth of knowledge and experience in the acute care of children and youth.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Piscopo to the RPPEO team!
Now we're committed!We pushed the little green 'go' button launching Cycle 1 2021 CME last week.
New to our line-up this year is a series of four one-hour workshops featuring paramedics who are content specialists. Registration is now open for paramedics to attend the virtual live events with four presenters that Jeremiah has lined up across May 4, 5, and 6.
Methoxyflurane Study Launches Treatment PhaseOur research study will begin to use Penthrox on the road in Hastings-Quinte starting on Wednesday.
Since Health Canada approved Penthrox for pain relief use in Canada in 2018, paramedic services have been adopting the non-opioid analgesic.
The low-dose medication is delivered to patients by an inhaler which patients who have acute trauma may use themselves when they're in the care of paramedics. Patients report improvements in pain scores, with "side effects" that include dizziness and euphoria.
Following identification of patient safety incidents regarding use of IV EPINEPHrine for anaphylaxis across the region, Dr. Richard Dionne, Regional Medical Director, has issued an important Medical Advisory for paramedics identifying the patient safety risk with using the IV route in administration of EPINEPHrine for anyone who is profusing.
Paramedics should read Medical Advisory 2022-02. If you have any questions, please contact quality@RPPEO.ca.
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