ECU Health - EMS Fellowship

11/14/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Adams and Dr. Lutrick for their presentation at the 2025 International Trauma Conference in Charlotte, NC.

11/14/2025

ECU Health Sciences Author Recognition Awards - 2025

11/11/2025

10/29/2025

10/23/2025

Dr. Taylor at EMS World Expo

10/22/2025

More evidence of what we already know:

Spinal motion restriction (SMR), requiring the use of a cervical collar and allowing for use of a vacuum splint or ambulance cot, and spinal immobilization, requiring the use of a backboard and a c...

10/22/2025

Top 10 Take-Home Messages:

1. The Chain of Survival provides a broad overview of the critical steps to care for individuals suffering cardiac arrest, which can be customized depending on the age, etiology, and location of the arrest.
2. We present a simplified Chain of Survival meant to be applied to pediatric and adult cardiac arrest. In the future, the addition of prevention and preparedness is anticipated given the importance of avoiding cardiac arrest altogether and optimizing resuscitation once it has occurred.
3. Systems of care (SOC) comprise policies and procedures, personnel, equipment and resources, information, and quality improvement, and are highly influenced by the environment of care.
4. Community initiatives to improve lay rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are inherently multimodal, incorporating mass media, directed training, publicly available resources, mobile technologies, and policies and procedures.
5. The structure of in- and out-of-hospital resuscitation teams are variable, and adequate training, numbers of responders, and defined roles are crucial to produce good outcomes.
6. Debriefing and feedback to rescuers and analysis of data registries may be important components of a cardiac arrest quality improvement program.
7. In most cases, on scene resuscitation aimed at achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is preferable to patient transport with ongoing CPR but this strategy requires that emergency medical technicians and paramedics be adequately trained on when to terminate efforts and how to provide death notifications.
8. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) CPR is a promising but resource intensive advanced resuscitation technique that requires an organized SOC to select appropriate patients and craft the optimal pathway for care delivery and optimization.
9. More research is needed to identify the optimal components of cardiac arrest centers and determine when scene or interfacility transport to such a center is beneficial.
10. A SOC that integrates inpatient and outpatient services is needed to provide elements of recovery demonstrated to be beneficial in cardiac arrest survivors.

2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care

10/19/2025

Congratulations to our colleague Dr. March on this publication from CAPCE

10/18/2025

As a part of the pre-hospital rotation for our PGY2 EM resident, you get to help staff the medical tent at one of the ECU Football games alongside some of our EM attendings, medical residents, and local paramedics. 🏈🚑

This past Thursday night, Kaulin, our current PGY2 EM resident, was able to attend the ECU vs Tulsa football game to experience another perspective of pre-hospital care in our community. 💊🏥 Several of his co-residents attended the game as well for some fun Thursday night resident bonding! 🫶🏼

We are so grateful for the partnerships we have that allow our residents the opportunity to have these unique experiences! 💜💛

10/18/2025

Our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Aaron Cotten, Lenoir County Emergency Services Medical Director.

Dr. Cotten has faithfully served as Lenoir County’s Medical Director for nearly three decades. He dedicated his expertise, leadership, and compassion to improving pre-hospital care across Lenoir County.

He was known by so many. A trusted colleague, a respected mentor, and a friend whose humor and wit could always lighten the mood. You never quite knew what he was going to say, but he always made you laugh.

His impact on the EMS community and the lives he touched will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.