ETM Course Podcast

Code Brown is a nationally recognised code for an external emergency that threatens to overwhelm the capability or capacity of a hospital. On December 14th 2025, several hospitals in Sydney activated their code brown procedure in response to the Bondi Beach shooting attack. Dr Matt Oliver is an Emergency Physician and Co-Director of Trauma at Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital, one of Sydney's Major Trauma Centres, and was on duty in the ED when this situation unfolded. In this episode Matt describes how a Code Brown, or Mass Casualty Incident unfolds in real life, in an Australian Major Trauma Centre. Matt provides a unique insight into what actually happens before, during and after a Code Brown/Mass Casualty Incident, tips for clinicians and hospitals on preparing for these events, and some really useful, practical pearls that came from being directly involved in treating patients on this day, and in the days and weeks that followed. PLEASE NOTE: Code Browns and Mass Casaulty Incidents are rare events. The purpose of this episode is to educate clinical staff in hospitals about how these events unfold, to share experience and provide expert insights from a senior clinician who was directly involved in this event. Out of respect for the victims, their families, witnesses, first-aiders, the Bondi Life Guards, first responders including Paramedics and Police, hospital clinicians, and anyone else directly or indirectly affected by this tragedy, we do not discuss any individual cases, nor any specific clinical situations that could indentify any of the victims. ETM would like to formally acknowledge the bravery, skill, compassion and care displayed by all who helped on this day, as well as commend everyone in the NSW Health System for being able to provide such a high level trauma care to so many people in what was an incredibly demanding and stressful situation. If you live in NSW and need support related to this incident, the NSW Government has provided a large list of resources/supports you can access here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/bondi-beach-attack

In this episode of the ETM Course Podcast we talk to Dr Chris Partyka, Emergency Physician and Prehospital and Retrieval Specialist from Sydney and lead author for the recently published SABRE trial which compared Serratus Anterior Plane Blocks to a standard analgesia package for patients with rib fractures. This was a really well designed and executed study, and the results will be practice changing for anyone who treats trauma patients.  In this episode we drill down into the design, execution and results of the study, and discuss the benefits of using this block as well as some tips on how to introduce this procedure into your ED in a structured and safe fashion. You can access the article here: Serratus Anterior Plane Blocks for Early Rib Fracture Pain Management The SABRE Randomized Clinical Trial

We have finally re-booted the ETM Course Podcast after a long hiatus, and for our first episode back we have a very special guest, Dr Christine Bowles. Chris is a FACEM but is also a Trauma Physician working on the inpatient Trauma Service at one of Sydney's Major Trauma Centres. We talk in detail about the evolution of the "Trauma Physician" role and Emergency Physicians working on inpatient trauma services, the skill-mix they bring to the job and some of the challenges of working in a traditionally "surgeons only" niche. Chris also tells us about her exciting work with the University of Sydney developing and launching modules on Major Trauma and Advanced Trauma management, and plans for an upcoming module specifically for those who want to work as inpatient Trauma Physicians, which to date there has been no formal training program for. Huge thanks to Chris for being our first guest on the new-look, reinvigorated ETM Course Podcast! If you're interested in taking your trauma knowledge and skills to the next level, check out these units from the Masters of Critical Care at University of Sydney.  CRIT5016: Major Trauma Management CRIT5019: Advanced Trauma Management