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!

Read online  or download the PDF version.

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!

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:

• Early recognition and patient masking
• Use of appropriate airborne precautions PPE, as outlined by your paramedic service
• Timely and effective hospital notification to minimize system disruption
• Operational reminders about running the ambulance’s internal exhaust system during and after transport, in outdoor areas only

These elements are recommended for any scenario where airborne transmission of infectious disease, such as measles, is suspected. 

Reminder on Infection control

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

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

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.

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.

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.

What You’ll Learn

📌 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.

Welcome to the March 2025 issue of MedicNEWS! This edition brings you clinical updates, continuing education opportunities, and system-level developments that impact paramedic practice in our region and beyond.

News Nuggets – Quick, relevant updates from the world of paramedicine, including a critical look at a recent study on physician-paramedic teams and what it really tells us about interdisciplinary care in the field.

Continuing Education – Everything you need to know about Spring 2025 CME, where the focus is on mastering rare but essential skills through hands-on learning and cognitive rehearsal techniques. Plus, we’re excited to announce the return of Trauma Days, now with Level 1 and Level 2 sessions tailored to different experience levels.

Medical Direction: BHP Corner – A deep dive into the complex process of pronouncing death and what paramedics must consider when making this critical determination in the field.

Get Involved – The Ontario Base Hospital Group (OBHG) is seeking Paramedic Advisors to join key committees shaping education, medical direction, and data quality standards. Find out how you can contribute to provincial decision-making.

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!

Read online or download the PDF version.

The Ontario Base Hospital Group (OBHG) is recruiting Paramedic Advisors to provide frontline paramedic perspectives on key provincial committees. This is an opportunity for paramedics to directly influence education, data quality, and medical advisory decisions that shape paramedic practice across Ontario.

What is OBHG?

OBHG provides medical and operational advice to the Ministry of Health Emergency Health Services Division (MOH EHS). Paramedics are essential members of OBHG committees, ensuring that policy and clinical decisions reflect the realities of prehospital care.

Which Committees Need Paramedic Advisors?

1. Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) – Advises on patient care, leadership, funding, and EMS operations.
2. Data Quality Management (DQM) Subcommittee – Oversees paramedic data collection and reporting standards.
3. Education Subcommittee (ESC) – Reviews paramedic education standards and delivery.

Why Get Involved?

• Represent frontline paramedics and ensure your voice is heard at the provincial level.
• Help shape paramedic education, clinical guidelines, and data quality initiatives.
• Gain experience in leadership, policy development, and system-level decision-making.

Who Can Apply?

• Active Primary or Advanced Care Paramedics with several years of experience.
• Candidates should have a letter of support from their Regional Base Hospital and EMS service.
• OBHG aims for diverse representation from urban and rural paramedic services across Ontario.

What’s the Commitment?

• Three-year term (with flexibility for career changes).
• Attendance at quarterly in-person meetings plus additional teleconferences as needed.
• Travel expenses for meetings may be reimbursed, but the role is voluntary.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit:

✔ A cover letter outlining their paramedic level, region, and interest in specific committees.

✔ A brief CV summarizing their experience.

✔ Letters of support from their EMS employer, Base Hospital, and at least one paramedic colleague.

Applications are due March 12, 2025. They open every three years. If you’re interested in contributing to provincial decision-making and paramedic practice improvements, this is your chance to step forward.

For full details, see the official call for applications in the PDF below!

OBHG_Paramedic_Advisor_Invitation_Memo_2025.pdf

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.

What You’ll Learn

📌 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

What’s New: Reintroducing Evaluation

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.

How to Participate

📧 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.

The Ontario Ministry of Health has not yet announced the release of ALS PCS v.5.4.

While the update was originally expected to take effect in February 2025, the release timeline remains uncertain. Until ALS PCS v.5.4 is formally published, paramedics should continue to follow the current ALS PCS v.5.3 directives.

For updates, please monitor the Ministry of Health’s Paramedic Practice Documents.

The Online Medical Consultation (OMC) service is supporting paramedicine in our region with real-time physician consultation for paramedics during patient care. To further enhance the use of this critical service, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the OMC YouTube Channel.

This dedicated platform features the OMC Video Series, designed to empower paramedics and Base Hospital Physicians with practical insights, actionable tips, and tools for optimizing OMC consultations. Whether you're navigating complex cases, refining communication during consultations, or staying updated on best practices, these videos are tailored to meet your needs.