Clinical Practice Radio (CPR)
St John WA has launched its first ever public podcast, Clinical Practice Radio (CPR). Designed by clinicians for clinicians, the show discusses a range of clinical and management topics using the latest evidence-based research and inviting subject matter experts to share their insights. Hosted by St John WA Deputy Director of Paramedicine Andy Bell alongside Clinical Leads Megan Currie and Nick Overington.
Listen on:
Meet the hosts
Andy Bell:
Andy Bell is the first Deputy Director of Paramedicine for St John WA. Andy is a registered Paramedic, has held senior lecturer positions in several Australian universities and has formed and lead high performance clinical teams for TacMed Australia and The Royal Flying Doctors Service of WA.
He has published numerous articles on the development of the Paramedic education paradigm, is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Paramedicine, Editor on the Journal of High Threat and Austere Medicine, and an Adjunct Research Fellow with Curtin University.
Andy provides consultancy and sits on the teaching cadres for speciality medical training providers, Blacksmiths and Ragged Edge Solutions and in his spare time he loves lifting heavy barbells, walking his two dogs and drinking good coffee.
Meet the hosts continued
Megan Currie:
Megan Currie has more than nine years’ experience as a Paramedic at St John WA and currently works as a District Clinical Lead in the North West.
Passionate about clinical leadership, staff development, and mentoring, Megan has been actively involved in these areas throughout their career mentoring student paramedics and teaching in the College of Pre-Hospital Care, consistently supporting others in building clinical confidence and capability.
Megan has also worked across the South West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia, developing strong relationships within volunteer communities and contributing to ongoing education and training efforts.
Nick Overington:
Nick began his journey with St John WA as a cadet, progressing through volunteer roles in ambulance and Event Health Services before achieving his goal of becoming a Paramedic.
Over the past nine years, he has worked across metropolitan and rural settings in a variety of roles. Now serving as a Clinical Lead, Nick is passionate about all aspects of pre-hospital care. He has a strong interest in clinical leadership, mentoring, and supporting his colleagues to provide the best care possible.
Nick is committed to developing others and fostering a culture of clinical excellence which shapes his approach to leadership in the field.
Episodes
Episodes
Feb 25, 2026
Feb 25, 2026
29 min
In this episode, the team turns their focus to major burns, one of the most complex and confronting presentations in pre-hospital care.
They discuss what defines a major burn, the systemic cascade that follows large TBSA injuries, and key priorities including early cooling, analgesia, fluid management, airway considerations, hypothermia prevention and transport decisions.
A practical refresher for clinicians who may not see major burns often but need to manage them well when they do.
References:
Impact of Prehospital Hypothermia on the Outcomes of Severely Burned Patients | Journal of Burn Car…
Hypothermia in acutely presenting burn injuries to a regional burn service: The incidence and impac…
Further Reading:
Research And Technology Development In Burn Medicine - Fiona Wood Foundation
First Aid Management of Injuries
Effect of early administration of inhaled heparin on outcomes of smoke inhalation injury: A randomi…
Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
28 min
In this episode, the team tackles some of the most enduring myths in emergency medical services and asks a simple question: are we still doing things because they work, or because it’s how they’ve always been done?
Topics include analgesia and pain management, soft tissue injuries and the RICE principle, oxygen use in COPD patients, ketamine and haemodynamic effects, tourniquet use, and other long-held assumptions in pre-hospital care.
Through evidence, physiology and reflective practice, the conversation highlights how clinical practice continues to evolve and why staying curious and adapting to new evidence is essential for delivering high-quality patient care.
A thought-provoking listen for clinicians at any stage of their career.
References:
April, M. D., Arana, A., Schauer, S. G., Davis, W. T., Oliver, J. J., Fantegrossi, A., ... & NEAR Investigators. (2020). Ketamine versus etomidate and peri‐intubation hypotension: a national emergency airway registry study. Academic Emergency Medicine, 27(11), 1106-1115.
Kamran, H., Salciccioli, L., Kumar, P., Pushilin, S., Namana, V., Trotman, S., & Lazar, J. (2010). The relation between blood pressure changes induced by passive leg raising and arterial stiffness. Journal of the American Society of Hypertension, 4(6), 284-289.
ICED! The illusionary treatment option. Gary Rein
Dubois, B., & Esculier, J. F. (2020). Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. British journal of sports medicine, 54(2), 72-73.
Walsh B, Cone DC, Meyer EM, Larkin GL. Paramedic attitudes regarding prehospital analgesia. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2013 Jan-Mar;17(1):78-87. doi: 10.3109/10903127.2012.717167. Epub 2012 Sep 12. PMID: 22971168.
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Retention in COPD • LITFL • CCC Respiratory
Abdo WF, Heunks LM. Oxygen-induced hypercapnia in COPD: myths and facts. Crit Care. 2012 Oct 29;16(5):323. doi: 10.1186/cc11475. PMID: 23106947; PMCID: PMC3682248.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2023.08.040
Morgan MM, Perina DG, Acquisto NM, Fallat ME, Gallagher JM, Brown KM, Ho J, Burnett A, Lairet J, Rowe D, Gestring ML. Ketamine Use in Prehospital and Hospital Treatment of the Acute Trauma Patient: A Joint Position Statement. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2021 Jul-Aug;25(4):588-592. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2020.1801920. Epub 2020 Aug 27. PMID: 32776812.
Xacur-Trabulce A, Casas-Fuentes G, Ruiz-Vasconcelos V, Reitz MM, Henry SM, Scalea TM, Ribeiro MAF Jr. Tourniquet-related complications in extremity injuries: a scoping review of the literature. World J Emerg Surg. 2025 Jun 25;20(1):57. doi: 10.1186/s13017-025-00625-3. PMID: 40556023; PMCID: PMC12188649.
Pascoe B, Weinrauch P. Timeline effects of tourniquets used in trauma care. JHTAM. 2024;6(2):26-32