End-of-life care is part of EMS, but many systems aren't prepared to provide it well. In this episode, we explore how prehospital teams can integrate palliative care into their practice, recognize when the goal should shift from prolonging life to providing comfort, and build systems that support patients and families during some of their most difficult moments. We discuss practical approaches to caring for patients at the end of life, the role of EMS in honoring goals of care, and what it takes to develop a system that supports clinicians rather than simply transporting patients to the next level of care.

And then there is the part we don't always talk about: what happens when the patient is someone you know? A colleague. A friend. A family member. Maybe even the person who works beside you every shift.

This episode takes a practical and deeply human look at end-of-life care in the prehospital environment, and how we can be better prepared for the calls that stay with us long after the shift ends.

Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE!

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Disclaimer: Heavy Lies the Helmet's content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow local guidelines and consult qualified professionals before applying any information. The hosts and guests are not responsible for errors, omissions, or outcomes. Views expressed are their own and do not reflect their employers or affiliates.

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The agitated patient is one of the most challenging encounters in emergency medicine. They may be yelling, fighting, refusing care, or creating an unsafe environment. But it's important to remember that agitation is not a diagnosis but a symptom. Behavior is a vital sign.

In this episode, we challenge the assumption that every combative patient is intoxicated, psychiatric, or simply "difficult." We explore the broad differential diagnosis of agitation, including hypoxia, hypercapnia, hypoglycemia, traumatic brain injury, stroke, sepsis, toxicologic emergencies, and withdrawal states.

Listeners will learn a structured approach to identifying life-threatening causes of agitation, recognizing important clinical clues, and balancing patient care, safety, and the need for rapid intervention. From the "frequent flyer" with a hidden medical emergency to the patient who appears intoxicated but is actually deteriorating, this episode reinforces a critical concept:

Before we sedate the situation, we must diagnose it.

Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE!

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X @heavyhelmet

Facebook @heavyliesthehelmet

Instagram @heavyliesthehelmet

Website heavyliesthehelmet.com

Email contact@heavyliesthehelmet.com

Disclaimer: Heavy Lies the Helmet's content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow local guidelines and consult qualified professionals before applying any information. The hosts and guests are not responsible for errors, omissions, or outcomes. Views expressed are their own and do not reflect their employers or affiliates.

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Crystals VIP by From The Dust | https://soundcloud.com/ftdmusic
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

FOAMed has revolutionized medical education, but has it also made it easier for bad information to spread?

In this podcast episode, we explore the difference between evidence and opinion, what actually defines an expert, and why a large following doesn't necessarily mean someone is right. We'll discuss where expert opinion fits within evidence-based medicine, the role of medical direction and provider oversight, and how cognitive bias and social media can turn repetition into perceived truth. Join us as we discuss how to become a more discerning consumer of medical education and why the most important skill you can develop isn't finding the loudest voice but knowing how to evaluate what you hear.

FOAMed isn't the problem. Uncritical consumption is.

Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE!

--------------------------------------------

X @heavyhelmet

Facebook @heavyliesthehelmet

Instagram @heavyliesthehelmet

Website heavyliesthehelmet.com

Email contact@heavyliesthehelmet.com

Disclaimer: Heavy Lies the Helmet's content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow local guidelines and consult qualified professionals before applying any information. The hosts and guests are not responsible for errors, omissions, or outcomes. Views expressed are their own and do not reflect their employers or affiliates.

--------------------------------------------

Crystals VIP by From The Dust | https://soundcloud.com/ftdmusic
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com