Prehospital Care Preached at Expo

Nurse Caleb Rogovin preached the importance of prehospital care and the role that EMTs and paramedics play in delivering treatment in the field to Expo attendees on Friday.

According to Rogovin, trauma remains the leading cause of death for people between 1 and 45. "We can prevent trauma," the Temple University Hospital employee said, noting that a slogan at Maryland Shock Trauma -- were he once worked -- was "Our goal is to close" meaning there would be no need for it if trauma injures no longer occurred.

Since that will never be the case, Rogovin said prehospital care is vital in the treating of trauma patients and that more time has to be spent looking at the bigger picture. He said EMTs and paramedics need to think in broader terms. Not focusing solely on what will happen when they are treating patients, but what will happen to them hours or even weeks from then.

He said clearing the airway is key in providing effective prehospital care and can alleviate problems that may arise during the patient's care.

"Airway is not the most important thing ... It's the only thing," he said. "If you don't have an airway, nothing else matters."

He spoke specifically about the importance of airway management. "You are the ones who determine the patient's outcome," he said to the room of EMTs and paramedics. "An airway is what makes all the difference in the world."

Rogovin said that since there is only so much that can be done in the prehospital environment, tools such as nasal and oral airway adjuncts are a necessity. He said the bag value mask is equally as important but that it needs to be used with care.

"Too much is not a good thing," he said. "Do not over ventilate. This is actually killing people."

He also talked about the importance of carrying blood productions such as Albumin and Heptastich. He said that regardless of the technology and tools available, the basics are still the most important thing.

"Use the technology to enhance what you are already doing," he said. "Sometimes it's all about paying attention to the details."

Working primarily in the hospital and not in the field, Rogovin said he's seen how necessary prehospital care is in saving a patient's life.

"The impact of prehospital care shows how much you matter."