Just the Facts: Answers to your questions about COVID-19
MAC's Considerations Memo: Changes to oxygen therapy
In Focus: High Flow and High Concentration oxygen explained
MOH Screening Tool: New symptom added
Patient Safety: Incidents in a Just Culture
Spring CME: It'll be online!
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In this issue
Leading the Way: A Video Message for You from Your Medical Director
The Unexpected Consequences of Epinephrine in BHP Corner
Side Hustle: How about a part-time gig with RPPEO?! In Announcements
The Missed Opportunity: How Paramedics Can Influence Patient Outcomes in Quality & Patient Safety
Discharge Risks: A Comprehensive Guide for Paramedics in A Window on Care
The Game-Changers: The Latest Medical Advisories You Can't Afford to Miss
Are YOU Authorized for Patient Discharge? in Continuing Education
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As paramedics, staying informed means staying ready. In this edition of MedicNEWS, we spotlight several developments shaping your practice this spring.
In this issue:
🆕 ALS PCS v5.4 Comes Into Force – June 2, 2025
One of the most significant updates in recent years, ALS PCS v5.4 introduces new directives, revised protocols, and clarifies standards around interventions such as analgesia, nausea/vomiting, cardiac arrest, and traumatic hemorrhage. We walk you through what’s new, what it means for your scope of practice, and what to expect next.
🦠 Measles Management: Clinical Bulletin Released
With a measles outbreak in Ontario, our updated bulletin helps paramedics focus on the clinical signs, documentation, and hospital notification procedures that matter most. Learn how to assess risk, identify mimics, and document effectively.
📚 Case Studies from the Front Lines
Medical Director Dr. Mike Austin shares two insightful case studies with real-world implications for paramedic assessment and documentation. His reflections in this month’s BHP Corner explore how even routine-seeming calls carry critical clinical weight.
🎓 CME Update: Final Trauma Day of 2025 Coming Soon
Don’t miss your last chance this year to join the hands-on Level 2 Trauma Day. Build your trauma care confidence with dynamic, scenario-driven learning.
As always, we want to hear from you! If you come across news items relevant to paramedic clinical care, send them to info@RPPEO.ca with "MedicNEWS" in the subject line.
Enjoy the issue!
Erratum - In an earlier version of the May 2025 issue of MedicNEWS, we incorrectly stated that there were changes to the Hypoglycemia Medical Directive anticipated in the June 2, 2025 ALS PCS v5.4. This was an error.
There are no changes to the Hypoglycemia Medical Directive.
The digital and PDF versions have been updated to reflect this correction. We regret the oversight and appreciate your understanding. – Editor
The latest MedicNEWS issue is live, bringing paramedics valuable updates, case studies, and new tools to support practice! As a result of the audience survey feedback earlier this year, we're on an improvement trajectory for MedicNEWS. This issue includes more case studies, as requested, and we’re adding more summaries of the longer articles like you’ll see below.
Here’s a peek at what’s inside this month’s edition:
Meet Your Base Hospital Physician Team 🩺 Discover the physicians supporting paramedics through the Online Medical Consultation (OMC) project. Learn more about the expertise of your BHPs and how they’re dedicated to helping you provide top-notch patient care.
Certification Notifications Made Easy 📧 Starting November 12, MedicNET will keep you on track with automated email notifications for each MoC milestone you complete. Check out how this new feature simplifies maintaining your annual certification!
BHP Corner: Morbidity & Mortality Case Review ⚕️ Gain insights into managing informed patient refusals and learn strategies to overcome common clinical biases. This review explores an intricate case and reminds us of the importance of thorough documentation and unbiased patient assessment.
A New Way to Correspond with RPPEO During Quality Reviews
Getting Ready for Your Maintenance of Certification Deadline
A Message from Your Medical Director About Safe Care for Complex Patients
Navigating Acute Behavioural Disturbances
New Elective CME Live and In Person
Putting the "Care" in Health Care
Your Base Hospital's Research Contributions Last Year
6 Perfect Prezzies for the Paramedics on Your List
Plus: see the new video on capacity and consent, reflect on case studies, and more in November/December MedicNEWS!
RPPEO’s bi-monthly online news magazine for paramedics, MedicNEWS is your key to insight on the current issues in clinical practice for Eastern Ontario.