Inside EMS

EMS agencies are facing mounting challenges, from staffing shortages and rising operational costs to increasingly complex compliance requirements. However, advanced data systems and integrated technology offer solutions to these persistent issues.   In this episode of Inside EMS, Clinical and Business Consultants Jason Bartholomai and Chuck Sweeney of ZOLL Data Systems discuss how robust EPCR systems and streamlined workflows can reduce inefficiencies, improve patient care and ease the burden on EMS teams.   Here are top takeaways leaders can learn from this episode about overcoming today’s EMS challenges. 1. Staffing shortages: Doing more with less Use technology to reduce workload inefficiencies and support field personnel.   Staffing shortages are a top concern for EMS leaders nationwide. Long shifts, redundant documentation and poor integration between field and dispatch operations exacerbate the stress on paramedics. EPCR systems can alleviate some of these pressures by: Streamlining documentation with intuitive workflows that reduce time spent on reports Improving coordination between field crews, dispatchers and billing teams through integrated software solutions Enhancing employee satisfaction by minimizing administrative burdens and allowing more focus on patient care and recovery time By implementing systems that improve efficiency, EMS agencies can help retain personnel and maximize the output of limited resources. 2. Compliance made simpler: Staying ahead of standards Holistic software ecosystems can simplify compliance and improve data accuracy.   Compliance with NEMSIS standards and other reporting requirements is growing increasingly complex. Leaders must ensure that their systems capture accurate data to meet clinical, operational and legal standards to: Prevent incomplete reports from moving forward Highlight missing critical fields, such as patient signatures or demographic data, which can stall reimbursement Provide real-time feedback for quality improvement (QA/QI) Integrating compliance directly into workflows ensures fewer errors and smoother billing cycles, saving agencies time and resources. 3. Faster reimbursement through smarter workflows Improving cash flow starts with high-quality data entry at the source.   EMS leaders often overlook how documentation practices impact financial performance. Efficient EPCR systems improve clean claim rates by: Guiding paramedics to include all required information during documentation Automating processes like importing EKG results and demographic data Flagging incomplete or incorrect entries before claims are submitted By speeding up documentation and addressing gaps early, EMS agencies can ensure faster reimbursements and predictable cash flow. 4. Breaking down silos: Building an integrated ecosystem Aligning workflows across departments enhances efficiency and collaboration.   EMS operations are not limited to field crews. Dispatchers, billers and managers play critical roles in delivering care and sustaining operations. Integrated systems ensure that: Dispatchers, paramedics and billers share a unified platform, fostering communication and reducing friction Teams are trained holistically to understand each other’s roles and responsibilities Operational, clinical and financial data flow seamlessly across departments Such alignment reduces redundancies, boosts productivity and allows agencies to operate more effectively under tight constraints. 5. Preparing for legal challenges with better documentation Accurate, detailed reports protect EMS providers in legal scenarios.   In EMS, thorough documentation is not just a requirement – it’s a safeguard against legal liability. EPCR systems help paramedics document essential details clearly and accurately, reducing the risk of errors that could be exploited in court. Training crews to use these tools effectively ensures that charts provide a source of truth in any legal or compliance review. Final thoughts Jason Bartholomew summed it up best: “Doing something is better than doing nothing.” EMS agencies should start small, focusing on one area for improvement, such as data validation or staff training, before expanding into comprehensive ecosystem integration. Chuck Sweeney emphasized the importance of buy-in from all levels, noting that shared understanding and collaboration across departments are critical to long-term success.   By adopting robust technology and fostering teamwork, EMS leaders can tackle the headaches of staffing shortages, compliance demands, and financial uncertainty – all while improving the quality of patient care.   EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors. About the sponsor ZOLL Data Systems’ cloud-based solution suite of EMS and Fire solutions covers the scope of your operations, from dispatch to patient care, to incident and operational reporting, to billing. Learn how ZOLL software can help improve clinical, operational and financial performance of your organization at zolldata.com. Rate & Review the Inside EMS Podcast Catch a new episode of the Inside EMS podcast every Friday on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS feed.   Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

This week, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson host a virtual book club as they count down the top 10 essential texts that paramedics should have on their shelves – a mix of useful references, anatomy and physiology deep dives, and heartfelt memoirs that capture the essence of EMS work. From learning resources, to comic relief, there’s something for everyone in this list. Did our cohosts exclude a favorite EMS-focused book? Send your suggestions to editor@ems1.com for inclusion in a future article. Memorable quotes “I think that a good paramedic is someone who is proficient in their knowledge and their skills, and keeps up to date. That's a good paramedic. A great paramedic adds empathy and compassion to that list. And that's what differentiates the confident ones from the great ones.” — Kelly Grayson “The central message is that Teddy Roosevelt quote: ‘People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.’” — Kelly Grayson ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com. RATE & REVIEW Catch a new episode of the Inside EMS podcast every Friday on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS feed. Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

How old are you in EMS years? Are you using clinical skills that should be put out to pasture? Listen as cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson debate the effectiveness of “retired” EMS skills, like nasal and digital intubation, and whether the value of those skills has held up over time. Memorable quotes “If you’re not proficient with all the tools in your box, what does that say about your training?” “I take a lot of pride in having a deep bag of tricks to pull from. And I can't count the number of times that some obscure piece of knowledge, or an assessment or treatment technique worked for me in the field when everyone else had given up or not even considered it.” ----more---- ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

Last week, Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson laid out the top 10 indications of a bad EMS supervisor (Did you miss it? Catch it here!). This week they’re tackling the top signs of a bad employee, such as poor attendance, lack of initiative and a bad attitude – that’s not you, right? Listen as our duo reflects on each characteristic and where they have seen (or exhibited!) those traits in their career. Memorable quotes "If you’re emotionally intelligent and honest with yourself, you probably see yourself in some of these things."   "It’s not over until the paperwork – or the ambulance – is ready for the next day."   "Being disengaged shows up in things you don’t think matter, like documentation and keeping the ambulance stocked."  ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com. RATE & REVIEW Enjoying the show? Send an email to the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

The What Paramedics Want in 2024 report, produced by EMS1 and Fitch & Associates, found respondents to the 2024 EMS Trend Survey ranked leadership No. 4 in the critical issues facing EMS today (behind only retention, funding & reimbursement, and career development). In this episode of Inside EMS, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson expose the unpleasant side of EMS leadership by naming the top 10 signs of a bad manager. From communication breakdowns to micromanagement nightmares, they explore what makes some managers, well … not so great, while dishing out hard truths about inconsistent leadership, the dangers of favoritism, and the importance of empathy. Want to know if your manager is part of the problem – or if you're on your way to becoming one? Check it out! TOP QUOTES "Communication is the language of leadership." “When you show no concern for the employees, for their interests, you have a breeding ground for developing a toxic work environment.” “The true measurement of workforce success is how engaged, satisfied and productive the workforce is – nothing else matters.” “You need to care about these people and love them a little bit, as well.” ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com. REACH OUT Enjoying the show? Please contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

Welcome to this special crossover edition of EMS One Stop and Inside EMS, recorded live at the EMS World Expo 2024 in Las Vegas. Hosted by Rob Lawrence and Chris Cebollero, this episode features insightful discussions with Dr. Ray Barashansky and Tracy Loscar, EMS Deputy Director at Matanuska-Susitna (MatSu) Borough Department of Emergency Services, Alaska. The episode covers key themes such as leadership development, emotional intelligence in EMS, and the importance of mentorship programs like "Stand and Deliver," aimed at cultivating the next generation of EMS speakers. Memorable quotes “The next generation of EMS leaders is here, and it's our responsibility to pass the torch with the lessons we've learned." — Rob Lawrence “We need to stop staying siloed. Growth happens when we learn from each other’s experiences and different perspectives.” — Chris Cebollero “Designating EMS as an essential service is critical, but without form, function, and funding, it's just words on a page.” — Dr. Ray Barashansky “Stand and Deliver is about giving everyone a chance to step up, present their ideas, and get real-time feedback from experienced national speakers." — Tracy Loscar Highlights Leadership Transition in EMS. The influx of new attendees at the Expo reflects the need to develop the next generation of EMS leaders. Rob and Chris highlight the importance of passing the torch to younger EMS professionals. Emotional intelligence in EMS. Dr. Ray Barashansky emphasizes how emotional intelligence impacts supervisors and leaders in EMS. He discusses his presentation on this topic, sharing insights on how emotional intelligence can shape better leaders. Stand and Deliver Program. Tracy Loscar introduces the "Stand and Deliver" initiative, a program that identifies and mentors emerging EMS speakers, offering real-time feedback from national experts. EMS as an essential service. Dr. Barashansky discusses his recent editorial about EMS being recognized as an essential service and the need for formal structure, funding and legislative support to ensure its sustainability. Mentorship and learning from each other. The hosts and guests stress the importance of learning from one another, breaking silos within EMS, and continuously evolving as professionals through shared experiences. ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by Verizon Frontline, the advanced network and technology for first responders. To learn more, visit verizon.com/frontline. The 2024 anniversary of 9/11 marks 23 years since the tragic events that forever altered the course of history and the landscape of public safety. As we move further from that fateful day, the significance of remembering and learning from 9/11 grows even more critical. For many, especially younger generations, 9/11 is transitioning from a lived experience to a historical event, making it essential for public safety professionals to ensure that the lessons identified are not only remembered, but actively applied in today's ever-evolving emergency response environment. In this special crossover episode of the Policing Matters, Better Every Shift and Inside EMS podcasts, Co-hosts Jim Dudley, Aaron Zamzow and Rob Lawrence highlight the importance of remembering 9/11 not just as a historical event but as a continuing influence on how public safety agencies operate today.

This week on Inside EMS, our cohosts discuss a recent study out of UC Davis Health that highlights the benefits of using naloxone in opioid-associated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest response. Chris and Kelly discuss the results and debate how this knowledge could impact OHCA protocols. Top quotes “If you look at the … survival of hospital discharge, the number needed to treat was 26. So 1 in 26 patients you would do this to has a chance of surviving the hospital discharge. That's pretty compelling. It's going to change my practice.” — Kelly Grayson “It's obviously needed information considering how bad the opioid overdose epidemic is in the United States. The numbers are compelling – the fact that this affects so many of our out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and that this actually shows pretty strong evidence of improved outcome.” — Kelly Grayson “We think about over the past 20 years, and now with fentanyl being part of that process, we're starting to see a lot more [drug-related cardiac arrests] and there's an urgent need for this evidence that allows us to now figure out if Narcan can make a difference in OHCAs.” — Chris Cebollero This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, our hosts delve into a heated discussion on the topic of time requirements and response times in EMS – are they necessary or a nuisance? Listen and watch as Kelly Grayson and Chris Cebollero go back and forth on the history, the reliance and the continued use of response times as a standard metric in EMS.   Top quotes "We are in a mess and a corner we painted ourselves into with response time standards." – Kelly Grayson "The dislike of response times really has to be respectful of how the response times came about. We were trying to develop a system and show that we can make a difference." – Chris Cebollero "We created this expectation and no one is going to change this expectation if not us." – Kelly Grayson This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, host Chris Cebollero walks cohost Kelly Grayson through his recent emergency trip to Italy after his sister experienced a major medical crisis while on vacation in the country. He talks through his shock at certain protocols that would never be found in the U.S., leading to a discussion about necessary care vs. defensive medicine and how that dichotomy is stark between the two countries. Top quotes “The quality of care or the TLC, if we call it, is significantly less than what we’re used to over here. There were a couple of days when my sister was laying on a bed with no sheets. There were a couple of days where she was naked and I asked about getting her a gown or something.” — Chris Cebollero "[The U.S. healthcare system] will enthusiastically commit to what other countries would consider futile care.” — Kelly Grayson “How much stuff do we do in the United States because of defensive medicine and the differences in our legal and our court system than everybody else?” — Kelly Grayson This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

“Marijuana use is becoming part of a societal norm.” Our cohosts tackle one of the more contentious topics in the industry, as Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson debate the logistics and implications of allowing EMS providers to consume marijuana in their off-duty time. The use of federal money by most agencies in the country makes this a difficult task. Listen as the discussion tackles the debate from all sides.  Top quotes “We don't require that people not be impaired from alcohol while off duty.” “There's no test for impairment. For alcohol use, the test is literally about reaction time and fine motor skills. It's literally a test to see if you can operate heavy machinery. And there is no such thing for marijuana use.” “I think it's time we started to look at this realistically rather than this condemnation of marijuana as the devil's lettuce.” This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

“You need to set the standard; the standard starts and ends with you.” On this week’s episode of Inside EMS, our cohosts discuss how industry leaders can motivate frontline personnel to become the best clinical version of themselves. Chris and Kelly also preview their upcoming presentations at the Star Life Rural EMS conference, touching on topics ranging from airway management to personal development and leadership in EMS. Top quotes “The true measurement of leadership success is how engaged, satisfied and productive the workforce is.” — Chris Cebollero “When we focus on the workforce as being the most important component to the success of the organization; when the workforce grows, the organization grows.” — Chris Cebollero “Your vision statement is the most important document inside your organization, and it amazes me when leaders in the organization don’t know their own vision statement.” — Chris Cebollero This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

“All of EMS is volunteerism.” This week, host Chris Cebollero is joined by industry advocate and EMS1 columnist Nancy Magee to discuss the current state of volunteerism in the profession. The conversation explores how leaders can balance the demands placed on volunteers with proper recognition, support and understanding, while also being responsive to the community’s needs. Top quotes from the episode “Volunteering is its own reward. It really can help you in your head space, but you don't get that until you try it.”  “People have to know that what they do made a difference. You're important to the agency. We need you and what you do every day, whether it's putting a little old lady back in her bed or recognizing that she's decompensating and not that she dropped the remote this time.” “It has to be understood by the community that EMS costs money. And you're getting a great bang for your buck if you have competent, local, readily available volunteers.” This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This week, our Inside EMS cohosts discuss the rise in popularity of semiglutide drugs – like Ozempic – used for weight loss. Chris and Kelly discuss what providers should know about the use of these drugs, for their personal use and how complications may present in patients. Top quotes "If you're using semiglutide drugs purely as your only means of weight loss, you're going to rebound."  “You eat at odd hours, you eat at odd intervals. You eat something nuked in a microwave at a 7/11. Those are horrific eating habits, and it teaches your body to just hoard calories and food, and you wind up gaining weight that way. There's a lot of fat people in EMS, myself included, that are proof of that.”  "A lot of drugs out there came on the market for something and now we're using it for something else."  This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

“We've got to be on top of our game when it comes to clinical dosing of medications, from oxygen to ketamine.” This week, Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into an article by Joshua Davies on the use of chemical restraints in the field. They discuss the pros and cons of different medications, including a lively discussion on the use of versed and why ketamine is a good drug … when dosed and used properly. Top quotes "You should have a fairly extensive formulary of antipsychotic and sedative agents available to you." "We need to stop worrying about what we're seeing in the news and train our providers." "We really have to be able to give our medical director confidence that whatever is in the protocol and whatever they want to give us in the protocol, we have the competency to do that work and do that skill." This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

“If you're the smartest one in the room, you're in the wrong room.” Education is the word of the day on this episode of Inside EMS, as cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dissect the impact of higher learning on providers’ career longevity and advancement. Plus we dig into all this: Starter EMS agencies. “Some agencies might just have to be the minor leagues, the starter programs and the feeders to the real EMS agencies." Prioritizing your professional growth. “We're in charge of the career ladder. I shouldn't have to worry about my organization putting something in place for me to grow. They don’t owe that to me. It's my job to market myself and create the opportunity." Big picture impact of higher education. “When people say, ‘I don't need an education to be a paramedic,’ they don't know what they don't know. It's not until you get a little older and a little wiser that you realize the value of that education." This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

“Even after all these years of being in EMS, I still want to learn.” Flying solo this week, Chris Cebollero takes a note from EMS1 columnist Tim Nowak, walking listeners through his “11 keys to success for the rookie EMT.” Though directed at new EMTs, Cebollero makes the point that Nowak’s list of advice is really poignant for anyone at any point in their EMS career.   Listen to learn:  The role ego plays on scene … and how to move past it  How to test your quick-thinking reflexes and level-up  The slow creep of complacency and how to avoid it  Top quotes  "When someone needs you and needs your ability and needs your knowledge and needs your skill, you don't need to be looking for the OB kit."  "Never settle for the minimum, whether it's the standard of patient care, compassion, continuing education hours."  “You are going to make mistakes. You need to learn from your mistakes. You need to make sure that you don't do those mistakes again.”  This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com. 

“When your communication is intuitive … that’s what makes EMS an art for me.” This week, our cohosts discuss what makes a good EMT partner and a supportive paramedic mentor. The discussion was inspired by EMT-B Clay Gilman’s recent EMS1 poem submission, “To my medic, from your EMT.” The conversation also touches on: The use of BLS intercepts in place of paramedic intercepts  How empowering EMTs can provide staffing relief  Why EMTs should be taught to think above all else  This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This week on Inside EMS, MedStar’s Matt Zavadsky joins the show for the 10th time as a guest host to discuss potential changes to how the organization operates in the City of Fort Worth … as well as a change to Zavadsky’s personal career path. The pair also discuss: The four options on the table for transforming MedStar What a MedStar change means for the 13 surrounding cities it serves How the economics of EMS have changed since the pandemic This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

“We wanted to build something to solve the problem and help the paramedic, not hinder them.” Clive Savacool, CEO and founder of LogRx, joins the podcast this week to discuss preventing drug diversion/theft. Host Christ Cebollero and Savacool discuss: Who sets the tone for compliance accountability in an EMS organization The practice of gatekeeping narcotics from “drug seekers” Modernizing documentation practices to increase accuracy The LogRx smartphone platform and solution for tracking narcotics and other drugs This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.