EMS Attendees Share Highlights From Inaugural Red Duke Trauma Symposium

Shanna Farmer, with Brazoria County ESD 3, enjoyed the skills stations. An EMT-Basic, Farmer says, “It was awesome to get to practice under different trainers who were paramedics and nurses with various types of intubation equipment.“

Captain Anthony Carpenter with Community Fire Department favored the panel discussions. A veteran paramedic and educator, Carpenter says he found the discussions around how to practically apply — in the field — the strategies presented by the panel physicians to be particularly useful.

“In the hospital, there are a lot of resources — lots of staff, lots of light — very unlike when I’m in the back 40 of someone’s property. So, it was good to discuss how to take this perfect setting and make it work in the field, to discuss the finer points” says Carpenter.

Memorial Hermann Gives Back — to Over 450 Attendees

Farmer and Carpenter were among over 450 pre-hospital care providers, nurses, advanced practitioners and physicians who attended the inaugural Red Duke Trauma Symposium, a two-day CNE/CME course hosted by Memorial Hermann Health System on March 29-30, 2019, in Houston.

“Memorial Hermann is Houston’s only trauma network and is home to one of the busiest Level I trauma centers in the country, delivering some of the best outcomes anywhere,” says Tom Flanagan, RN, MA, BSM, Vice President, Trauma Services/Life Flight, Memorial Hermann. “We value every individual in the trauma system, from the first responders in the field to our nurses, physicians and other in-hospital care providers. The symposium is a way for us to give back.”

"The role that first responders play is often the most crucial."

“The partnership between pre-hospital and hospital clinicians is imperative to successful patient outcomes,” says Michelle McNutt, MD, Trauma Medical Director, Red Duke Trauma Institute at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and Associate Professor, Department of Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston.

“The role first responders play is often the most crucial, as they are the first to render aid, often with limited resources,” Dr. McNutt says. “This symposium aims to improve communication and understanding between physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, researchers and first responders. It’s a rare opportunity to learn and ask questions alongside one another, to recognize the various roles we play and the importance of cross-functional collaboration.”

Day One: Adult and Pediatric Trauma Care for Pre-Hospital

The first day featured physician panel/Q&A sessions on adult and pediatric trauma care covering 15 topics ranging from pre-hospital pain management, hemorrhage control and adult and pediatric resuscitation strategies to burn management, pediatric airway management and management of the pregnant trauma patient.

In the afternoon, attendees participated in hands-on skills training, practicing applying pelvic slings and tourniquets, including junctional tourniquets, wound packing, innervation of adult and pediatric patients, fast exams for abdominal bleeding and critical airway.

At the end of the day, attendees came together to network and visit with speakers while enjoying lite bites and beverages.

Day Two: Adult and Pediatric Trauma Care for Physicians and Nurses

The second day featured panel/Q&A sessions on topics of interest to in-hospital practitioners. A diverse lineup of topics included initial burn care, addressing the opioid crisis, motor vehicle crash dynamics, mass casualty basics, human trafficking, recognizing and reporting non-accidental pediatric trauma and much more.

Across the two days, over 30 speakers shared their expertise on over 30 current and controversial topics. And over 2,500 of CECs were awarded.

Stay Tuned for 2020 Trauma Symposium Details

Memorial Hermann will host its second annual Red Duke Trauma Symposium next year, promising another stellar lineup of speakers, hands-on training and networking opportunities. The date will be announced shortly.