I can’t get over the cognitive dissonance of spending 12 hours of intense work in clinic, using every minute of my 25 years of training and experience to formulate treatment plans for my patients with #cancer, and then to come home and check the news and to read about every part of the infrastructure needed to attain the knowledge for these treatment plans bring intentionally dismantled
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Formerly anti-vax parents on how they changed their minds: ‘I really made a mistake’
"I know that I led people down a path that now I totally regret"
Nikki Hill Johnson, former anti-vaxxer
#Vaccines #Vaccine #Novax #Novaxxers #Research #Science #Prevention #MedMastodon
The Guardian · Formerly anti-vax parents on how they changed their minds: ‘I really made a mistake’
CDC suspension of PRAMS data collection on maternal and infant health is confirmed
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/cdc-shutters-prams-program-on-maternal-and-infant-health
TPM - Talking Points Memo · CDC Shutters PRAMS Program on Maternal and Infant Health
Are you a US #doctor wanting to move to Canada? This article gives some ideas of the steps involved. #Canada has a doctor (and nurse) shortage and doctors trained in the US have a much easier path to practice than doctors from many other countries (due to similarities in training, standards, etc.)
I believe fees mentioned in the article are in Canadian dollars.
#medmastodon #medical @medmastodon
https://www.dr-bill.ca/blog/career-advice/american-doctors-moving-to-canada
Dr.Bill · What American Doctors Can Expect When Moving to CanadaMedical Billing Solutions for Doctors
Here's a classic corneal dystrophy as my latest #EyePath case
Holy shit. LITERALLY JUST BELIEVE WOMEN AND AFAB PEOPLE WHAT THE FUCK
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-04-symptoms-cystitis-bacterial-infection-negative.html
(More generally believe femmes too, but I'm not sure how to word this in a way that doesn't overly emphasise length of urethra, although AFAIK that is the main factor for the infections, but not the societal stigma.)
Medical Xpress · Symptoms of cystitis probably caused by bacterial infection, even when tests are negative
Excellent article from @CrimethInc
Protocols for Common Injuries from Police Weapons - For Street Medics and Medical Professionals Treating Demonstrators
Discusses initial assessment and treatment of common injuries sustained during #protest events. Covers chemical devices, concussion grenades and rubber bullets.
Great basic knowledge to learn.
CrimethInc.Protocols for Common Injuries from Police WeaponsThese guidelines are intended to equip street medics and health professionals to respond to common injuries inflicted by police violence.
Replied in thread
I've had a hormonal IUS before, not a copper IUD coil.
jfc insertion is painful (but apparently not for other people??!) but not having to deal with condoms or the pill or anything? for YEARS?!
And the success rate is the highest or right up there. I think the arm implant is 1 pregnancy in 2000 couples over a year or two...? Unless that's the hormonal IUS.
ALSO THERE ARE DIFFERENT DOSES AND SIZES. If you're nulliparous (have never given birth) like me, GET THE SMALLEST, holy shit.
Why the flying fuck they bunged the massive Mirena in there, I've no fucking clue. Again: some people feel "mild discomfort" and other people do just feel some mild discomfort but not pain!
But yeah, even with the insertion pain, I'm getting an IUS again soon. It's just that damn convenient and reliable, I cannot lie.
Clue · Bleeding on the IUD
#Physicians, #Nurses, #Researchers, #Healthcare workers, #lab techs, do you want to get out of 
?
Boy do we have an offer for you: #MedMastodon
Government of Canada · Canada announces new immigration stream specific to health workers
Impressive results from Portugal's novel, multifaceted harm-reduction program in their battle against #drug #addiction.
#medicine #health #drugs #MedMastodon @medmastodon
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250131-portugal-s-radical-approach-to-drug-decriminalisation-a-model-for-the-rest-of-the-world
FRANCE 24 · Portugal’s radical approach to drug decriminalisation: A model for the rest of the world?
REQUEST
#books #lgbtqia #bookstodon
As the CDC & NIH rapidly comply with purging datasets on LGBTQ, racial disparities, HIV data, I am begging you to send me names of books on the subjects so I can archive.
They may reference the stuff being purged which is better than nothing.
PLEASE REPLY with suggestions if you have any on these topics, healthcare disparities, the HIV response, etc.
My wife will handle that while I scramble on the gov websites.
Replied in thread
3/ Holy Moly! Several hospital grade medical device recalls today.
Gas Powered Emergency Resuscitator Recall: Mercury Medical Removes Neo-Tee T-Piece Resuscitator Due to An Undersized Spring in The Controller That May Prevent the Device from Delivering the Required Pressure Levels Needed for Effective Ventilation
The use of affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including low oxygen levels (desaturation), slow heart rate (bradycardia), lack of oxygen (hypoxia), high carbon dioxide levels (hypercarbia), and death.
Mercury Medical is recalling the Neo-Tee T-Piece Resuscitator due to a small spring in the controller that may prevent the device from delivering the required pressure levels needed for effective ventilation. This issue could reduce positive pressure, affecting the patient's breathing support.
Shout out to the Solidarity Apothecary because we love their work.
In-person classes (UK), online courses, books & a podcast, all focused on herbal #medicine
- Making Herbal Medicine with Glycerine Course
- Herbalism & State #Violence Workshop
- Herbalism & Border Violence Workshop
- The Prisoner's Herbal book
"The mission of the Solidarity Apothecary is to materially support revolutionary struggles and communities with plant medicines"
solidarityapothecary.orgSolidarity Apothecary – Herbal Medicine as Mutual Aid
The Slishman Story: From Concept to Critical Care
https://tacmedaustralia.com.au/blogs/tacmed/the-slishman-story-from-concept-to-critical-care
About traction splints; how they were developed and improved.
"The concept of traction splinting dates back to 1875 when Hugh Owen Thomas developed the first splint of its kind - known as the Thomas Splint."
"The breakthrough came in the form of a telescoping system inspired by ski poles"
These guys are trying to sell their products, but it's still interesting reading.
TacMed AustraliaThe Slishman Story: From Concept to Critical Care
Managing femoral fractures effectively in pre-hospital care is imperative in stabilising the injury to reduce pain, minimise further damage and improving blood flow/circulation. When you're facing a long transport time across Australia's vast distances, having equipment that can quickly and reliably reduce pain can make a world of difference in stabilising your patient. That's why the Slishman Traction Splint has become our most distributed product year on year, widely adopted by paramedics and first responders nationwide.
So, what makes this device the preferred choice for emergency first responders across Australia? Let's unpack the engineering and design elements that transformed such a simple concept into a lifesaving innovation.
Where it came from
The concept of traction splinting dates back to 1875 when Hugh Owen Thomas developed the first splint of its kind - known as the Thomas Splint. This device revolutionised the treatment of femoral fractures, dramatically reducing mortality rates during World War I. Yet despite over a century of medical advancement, the basic design remained largely unchanged, with practitioners facing the same fundamental challenges: too bulky, too complex, and limited versatility.
Innovation often springs from the most unexpected places. For Dr. Sam Slishman, an emergency medicine physician at the University of New Mexico, the inspiration for revolutionising trauma care came from an unlikely source: a ski pole. Observing the limitations of traditional traction splints in the field, Dr. Slishman envisioned a radical redesign that would challenge decades of conventional thinking in emergency medical care.
Traditional traction splints had long been plagued by operational challenges. They were bulky, extended beyond the patient's foot (creating hazards during transport), and were often contraindicated in cases of lower leg injuries or amputations – precisely when they were needed most. Drawing from his emergency medicine experience, Dr. Slishman conceptualised a design that would turn the traditional approach on its head: instead of pulling from the foot, his device would push from the hip.
The breakthrough came in the form of a telescoping system inspired by ski poles, incorporating a pulley mechanism that could be positioned at the patient's hip rather than the foot. This seemingly simple shift in design philosophy solved multiple problems at once. The device could be applied in under 60 seconds, didn't extend beyond the patient's foot, and could even be used in cases of lower leg trauma or amputation – a significant advancement particularly relevant for military combat scenarios.
In 2012, medical supplies company Rescue Essentials acquired the license for Dr. Slishman's innovative design through STC.UNM, and the Slishman Traction Splint (STS) was born.
Why It Matters
While many might assume a broken leg is a painful but straightforward injury, a femoral fracture presents serious risks that demand immediate attention, such as blood loss.
The femur is the strongest bone in the body, and when it breaks, the powerful muscles surrounding it contract violently, causing not just intense pain but potential nerve and blood vessel damage. Without proper stabilisation, the sharp edges of the broken bone can cause further tissue injury. What makes these fractures particularly dangerous is their proximity to major blood vessels – a femoral fracture can lead to significant internal bleeding, with patients losing up to 1.5 litres of blood into the surrounding tissue.
In remote areas, where treatment delays are measured in hours rather than minutes, this combination of blood loss, severe pain, and risk of shock makes early intervention critical. This is why effective management of femoral fractures isn't just about patient comfort – it's about preventing life-threatening complications.
Design Innovation
What sets the STS apart isn't just its effectiveness – it's how it fundamentally reimagines traction application. Traditional traction splints operate by pulling from the ankle, often using complex mechanical systems that extend well beyond the patient's foot. While functional, this conventional approach creates numerous operational challenges, particularly during patient transport and in confined spaces.
The STS revolutionised this concept by positioning the traction mechanism at the patient's hip. Instead of pulling distally from the foot, it creates traction through the extension of telescoping aluminium poles with locking clamps, generating a pushing force on the ankle strap. This design incorporates an adjustable groin strap that allows for precise traction control and quick adjustments even during transport – a crucial feature when patient comfort needs to be maintained over long journeys.
Here is a video from over 20 years ago, shared with us from Dr. Sam Slishman himself, showing his early generation STS in action:
The innovative STS design solves multiple challenges simultaneously:
The four-step application process can be completed in under 60 seconds, with no pole assembly required – a stark contrast to traditional devices that often involve complex setup procedures.
The one-size-fits-all design works effectively for both adults and children, eliminating the need for services to carry multiple sizes of splinting equipment, a significant advantage for space-constrained emergency vehicles and remote medical teams.
Unlike traditional splints that become contraindicated with lower leg injuries or amputations, the STS's ankle strap can be repositioned proximal to the calf or even the patella. This means the splint can still provide effective femoral traction while leaving the lower leg accessible for additional treatment, bandaging, or wound care – a critical feature particularly relevant in cases of complex blast trauma or multiple injuries.
The compact design doesn't extend beyond the foot, preventing the splint from jamming against ambulance doors or aircraft frames during transport and eliminating the risk of the splint striking obstacles that could cause additional pain or injury to the patient
Allows continuous patient care through its radiolucent design, meaning it won't interfere with X-rays or patient imaging. This feature means the splint can stay in place from initial treatment through to surgery, streamlining the continuum of care and reducing unnecessary patient handling.
Ensures superior stability through its unique construction of interlocking aluminium poles and a mid-leg strap system that secures both lower extremities together, providing better immobilization compared to traditional designs.
Features an ultralight design weighing just 600 grams with compact dimensions (58.4cm W × 7.6cm H × 7.6cm D), essential for paramedics who need to maximise their limited equipment space.
How To Use It.
The evolution of emergency medical equipment often follows a simple but powerful pattern: identify a critical problem, reimagine the solution, and execute it with precision. The Slishman Traction Splint represents exactly this - a revolutionary response to a century old concept with long-standing challenges in trauma care.
At TacMed Australia, we understand the challenges of managing femoral fractures in rural and remote locations where time and distance are critical factors. If your organisation operates in these austere environments, we're here to support your emergency response capabilities. Contact info@tacmedaustralia.com.au for all corporate inquiries.
If you are an individual looking to improve your emergency preparedness, you can find more information on this device on our website, and our team is available on social media to answer any questions about its applications and usage.
Stay safe,
Team TacMed.
Note: Always follow current ANZCOR guidelines and seek immediate emergency medical care in any trauma situation. This information supplements but does not replace proper first aid training.
References:
Bledsoe B, Barnes D. Traction splint. An EMS relic? JEMS. 2004 Aug;29(8):64-9. PMID: 15326449.
History of Traction Splinting
Studer NM, Grubb SM, Horn GT, Danielson PD. Evaluation of commercially available traction splints for battlefield use. J Spec Oper Med. 2014 Summer;14(2):46-55. doi: 10.55460/074X-GZAQ. PMID: 24952040.
Shop Slishman Gear
Interesting article about Hospitallers volunteer medical battalion in #Ukraine
https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/01/27/inside-ukraines-elite-corps/
Despite misgivings about the founder, Yana Zinkevych, having history with Right Sector, the battalion saves many lives.
From the article, " Ukrainian combat medics admit their work has become far more dangerous over time. ...Russians are deliberately, actively, and systematically targeting medical transport....booby traps on the dead and wounded"
Euromaidan Press · Inside Ukraine's elite corps where NATO medicine faces drone war reality checkBehind Ukraine's front lines, a 500-strong volunteer medical force discovers what happens when their ambulances become top targets for cutting-edge war tech, forcing them to create rules Western armies rush to adopt.
“Alarming.” “Devastating.” “Disastrous.” “Uncertainty, fear and panic.” “Completely miserable.”
Not exactly the words you want to hear when the nation’s scientists are asked to describe the state of biomedical #research in the U.S.
More on the effects of the Trump Administration's freeze:
https://buff.ly/4gf8227 #MedMastodon #science
The ConversationMedical research depends on government money – even a day’s delay in the intricate funding process throws science off-kilterA member of a grant review panel explains the ins and outs of applying for research funding – and the consequences of when the process suddenly stops.
Enhancing #Emergency care for older persons: the role and impact of the electronic #Frailty Index
"...The integration of the eFI into ED settings can enable more precise risk stratification and resource allocation, significantly improving patient management and #healthcare delivery for older persons in these urgent care contexts..."
#Geriatrics #Health #Care #Medicine #MedMastodon #Ageing #Aging
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-024-01472-x
Her Mental Health Treatment Was Helping. That’s Why #Insurance Cut Off Her Coverage.
—
Providers, patients and even some federal judges say progress-based insurance denials harm patients at key moments of mental health treatment.
ProPublicaHer Mental Health Treatment Was Helping. That’s Why Insurance Cut Off Her Coverage.
More from 
ProPublica
Micro- and nano-plastics in our bodies may be imapiring the #antibiotic effect of tetracyclines and increasing resistance to them
Reason nr. 3827364 to demand a global non-proliferation #PlasticTreaty
#medicine #MedMastodon #ClimateEmergency
nature.com/articles/s41598-024-75785-4