Sepsis is one of the most common and deadly emergencies we see, and it often presents quietly before crashing hard. In this episode, we’re joined by Zac, a deputy chief at a Pennsylvania EMS agency launching a first-of-its-kind pilot program in the state for prehospital antibiotics in suspected sepsis. We break down practical sepsis recognition in the field, why early treatment matters, and how clinical judgment beats rigid checklists alone. Zac walks us through the real work behind the pilot: antibiotic stewardship, drawing clean blood cultures before antibiotics, aligning with hospital sepsis bundles, crew training, documentation, and making all of it operationally realistic on scene. Whether your system is progressive or just getting started, this episode gives you concrete takeaways to improve sepsis care today and a roadmap for advocating change tomorrow. If you want to connect with Zac or learn more about the pilot, email the podcast at thenewlymedspod@gmail.com Whether you’re a new paramedic, an EMT, or just someone who loves learning from the streets, this is a must-listen reminder that the only real mistake in medicine is not learning from the ones you make! As always, this podcast does not contain medical guidelines or protocols, please refer to your statewide scope of practice and accepted protocols and procedures for your level of licensure. TheNewlyMeds podcast has no agency affiliation and is an independently owned and operated podcast https://sccm.org/survivingsepsiscampaign/guidelines-and-resources/surviving-sepsis-campaign-adult-guidelines?_gl=1*1uwmjkl*_gcl_au*MTU3NTI3MTkwNy4xNzY5MDM3NjMx

https://emcrit.org/pulmcrit/ssc-1-hour/

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sepsis

https://emcrit.org/pulmcrit/understanding-lactate-in-sepsis-using-it-to-our-advantage/

https://www.handtevy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-Prehospital-Sepsis-Recognition-and-Antibiotic-Administration-A-Retrospective-Analysis.pdf

https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692%2818%2930074-6/fulltext

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12873-024-01137-0

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10324699/

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/27536386231207055

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10228518/

In this episode of the NewlyMeds Podcast, we go back to pharmacology basics with a focused deep dive into two critical medications we’re seeing more and more in EMS: norepinephrine (Levophed) and cefazolin (Ancef).

We break down how norepinephrine works at a physiologic and cellular level, why it’s become a first-line vasopressor in shock, and what matters when titrating pressors in critically ill patients. We also walk through cefazolin from the ground up, including bacterial cell wall physiology, beta-lactam antibiotics, and why early antibiotic administration plays a major role in trauma, sepsis, and septic shock outcomes.

This episode is intentionally foundational. We’re setting the stage for a much deeper upcoming discussion by reinforcing the why behind these medications, not just the dosing or protocols. If pharmacology ever felt rushed or confusing in medic school, this is your chance to slow it down, reconnect the dots, and build a stronger clinical framework for critical care decision-making in the field.

Whether you’re a new paramedic, an EMT, or just someone who loves learning from the streets, this is a must-listen reminder that the only real mistake in medicine is not learning from the ones you make! As always, this podcast does not contain medical guidelines or protocols, please refer to your statewide scope of practice and accepted protocols and procedures for your level of licensure. TheNewlyMeds podcast has no agency affiliation and is an independently owned and operated podcast

References:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12057179/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1198743X25002356

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12057179/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1198743X25002356

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnCKhWuu6HO/?img_index=2

https://emcrit.org/ibcc/shock/

https://rebelem.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Mgmt-of-Shock-Educational-Reinforcement-Material.pdf

Welcome to Season 3 of TheNewlyMeds! Today starts with a classic “not acting like herself” call that looks like sepsis, until it isn’t. Dan and Wil break down the endocrine emergencies EMS can miss when we anchor on infection.

We cover thyroid and adrenal crises that can silently worsen, then crash fast: Graves and thyrotoxicosis, thyroid storm, apathetic hyperthyroidism in older adults, myxedema coma, Addison’s disease and adrenal crisis, plus Cushing syndrome. You’ll get practical prehospital recognition tips you can use without labs, along with what matters most in the field: airway, temperature, rhythms, glucose, fluids, and key pitfalls to avoid.

Quick pattern recap: too fast and too hot: thyroid excess. too slow with hypoventilation: thyroid failure. shocky and refractory: adrenal failure.

Whether you’re a new paramedic, an EMT, or just someone who loves learning from the streets, this is a must-listen reminder that the only real mistake in medicine is not learning from the ones you make! As always, this podcast does not contain medical guidelines or protocols, please refer to your statewide scope of practice and accepted protocols and procedures for your level of licensure. TheNewlyMeds podcast has no agency affiliation and is an independently owned and operated podcast

References:

Myxedema crisis (2024 Chen et al.):

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1089/thy.2023.0559

Thyroid storm (2024 Elendu et al.):

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10977538/

Addison’s disease (2023 Carsote et al.):

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10243343/

Graves disease (2022 Hoang et al.):

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9174594/

Cushing’s syndrome (2025 Dillon et al.):

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12484323/

Adrenal crisis (2022 Lentz et al.):

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0736467922003481

Apathetic thyrotoxicosis (2023 Lee et al.):

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10873132/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9627317/

As the year comes to a close, Dan and Wil sit down for a candid, unscripted conversation about burnout in EMS and healthcare. In this Quick Crit, they share personal experiences from different career paths, including EMS, nursing, and major job transitions, and break down where burnout really comes from.

They talk about recognizing burnout cycles, the impact of workplace culture, feeling expendable versus valued, and knowing when small changes are not enough. The conversation also dives into practical strategies for managing burnout, including finding meaningful outlets, building a strong support network, and separating work from personal life.

Whether burnout is coming from your job, your schedule, your environment, or life outside of work, this episode offers honest reflection, hard earned lessons, and reassurance that you are not alone.

If you are feeling stuck, burned out, or questioning your next move in healthcare, this episode is for you.

This December episode of The NewlyMeds Podcast is a year in review for both the show and for you as a growing provider. We look back at what it really means to step into the role of paramedic and healthcare professional, and we get honest about the learning curve, the self doubt, and the wins that do not always show up on a skills sheet.

From there, we zoom out and talk about the bigger picture of growing in this profession, including sharpening your assessment, managing airways and sick patients, handling imposter syndrome, and finding a realistic balance between work, study, and life outside of medicine.

We also reflect on seasonal trends, scene leadership, and documentation habits, tying it all back to what it means to stay grounded and continue improving as you move into a new year of practice. And most importantly, we share our appreciation for the support, feedback, and community that has grown around the podcast this year.

Whether you’re a new paramedic, an EMT, or just someone who loves learning from the streets, this is a must-listen reminder that the only real mistake in medicine is not learning from the ones you make! As always, this podcast does not contain medical guidelines or protocols, please refer to your statewide scope of practice and accepted protocols and procedures for your level of licensure. TheNewlyMeds podcast has no agency affiliation and is an independently owned and operated podcast

In this Quik Crit episode, we dive into two powerhouse medications that every EMS provider should understand: TXA and Pitocin. We walk through how each med supports bleeding control in both trauma and postpartum emergencies, why timing and assessment matter, and how knowing the pharmacology behind them builds real confidence in the field. From mechanisms and dosing to contraindications, safety pearls, and practical prehospital considerations, this episode focuses on getting comfortable with the tools that can make or break early intervention. If you want a clearer picture of when, why, and how to deploy these meds, this one is for you.

Whether you’re a new paramedic, an EMT, or just someone who loves learning from the streets, this is a must-listen reminder that the only real mistake in medicine is not learning from the ones you make! As always, this podcast does not contain medical guidelines or protocols, please refer to your statewide scope of practice and accepted protocols and procedures for your level of licensure. TheNewlyMeds podcast has no agency affiliation and is an independently owned and operated podcast

Welcome back to the TheNewlyMeds podcast.

In this episode of The NewlyMeds Podcast we dive deeper into the WOMAN Trial and other key pharmacologic and field interventions for postpartum hemorrhage. You will hear some live insight on how TXA can be used in the field to manage PPH. This episode will also be featured on Youtube for viewing purposes.

Whether you’re a new paramedic, an EMT, or just someone who loves learning from the streets, this is a must-listen reminder that the only real mistake in medicine is not learning from the ones you make! As always, this podcast does not contain medical guidelines or protocols, please refer to your statewide scope of practice and accepted protocols and procedures for your level of licensure. TheNewlyMeds podcast has no agency affiliation and is an independently owned and operated podcast

Welcome back to the TheNewlyMeds podcast. Every medic knows the feeling: you walk in, the vitals look good, the patient’s talking, and everything seems fine… but something just doesn’t feel right.

In this episode of The NewlyMeds Podcast, Dan and Will are joined by fellow new paramedic Devon to talk about the red flags that too often get missed in the field. They dig into how pattern recognition, tunnel vision, fatigue, and familiarity can cloud your judgment and how to stay sharp when every call starts to look the same.

You’ll hear real stories from the field. Near misses, surprise diagnoses, and lessons learned the hard way, including: • When a “routine weakness” turned out to be sepsis • Why “just not feeling right” might be the scariest chief complaint of all • How overconfidence can blind you to what’s right in front of you • And how to stay humble, curious, and alert no matter how long you’ve been on the truck

Whether you’re a new paramedic, an EMT, or just someone who loves learning from the streets, this is a must-listen reminder that the only real mistake in medicine is not learning from the ones you make! As always, this podcast does not contain medical guidelines or protocols, please refer to your statewide scope of practice and accepted protocols and procedures for your level of licensure. TheNewlyMeds podcast has no agency affiliation and is an independently owned and operated podcast.