MAIN DESK:
Current Important Information
from our Medical Director

Dr. Eric Rudnick, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Rudnick has been actively involved in Emergency Medicine since 1993 after graduating from Michigan State University’s Emergency Medicine residency program-Lansing. He has a keen interest in emergency medical services and pediatric care. He currently serves as the Medical Director for Nor-Cal EMS (since 2005), the EMS oversight agency for 6 Northern California counties. He has an extensive background in disaster preparedness and planning.

He has active fellowship status with both American College of Emergency Medicine and American Academy of Emergency Medicine. He successfully completed the prestigious California Healthcare Foundation Fellowship for Medical Leadership.

He was appointed to the State Commission on Emergency Medical Services in January, 2010. In addition, Dr. Rudnick became the EMS Medical Director for Santa Clara County in November 2009. Other roles he has had include the presidency of EMDAC (Emergency Medical Directors Association of California) and the founding President of the Medical Reserve Corp of Far Northern California. He has lectured nationally on numerous topics in Emergency Medicine ranging from pediatrics to chemical warfare.

He is an avid photographer often hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park. His most passionate interests are his wife (Deborah A. Sutcliffe, MD) and his two daughters Alaina and Melinda.

Official Press Release

EMS Best Practice

EMS Best Practice - Pulmonary Hypertension and the Interaction Between Revatio and Nitrates

January 9, 2012 - Pulmonary hypertension is a disease process where there is increased resistance to blood flow in the pulmonary arterial circulation. This is occurs as the small pulmonary arteries and capillaries become blocked, narrowed, and/or destroyed. As you recall, the right side of the heart pumps blood (returned from the body) through the lungs to get it oxygenated. This increased resistance to blood flow causes the right side of the patient’s heart to work harder and hypertrophy. Long term this results in right sided heart failure (inability to pump well) with multiple clinical issues.... More...

EMS Best Practice - Why is Aspirin Such a Big Deal?

August 04, 2010 - Aspirin PREVENTS A HEART ATTACK and reduces the progression of a heart attack in progress by inhibiting the formation of blood clots, or the clumping of platelets.... More...

EMS Best Practice - CPR

August 04, 2010 - There have been changes in the understanding of resuscitation from cardiac arrest. High quality CPR is now stressed as the key to survival from cardiac arrest.... More...

EMS Best Practice - Dystonic Reaction

August 04, 2010 - All neuroleptic (antipsychotic) medications and many of the major tranquilizers can cause extrapyramidal symptoms (movement disorders). These symptoms can include... More...

EMS Best Practice - Intraosseous Access in Pediatric Patients

August 04, 2010 - Pediatric resuscitation is among the most stressful situations that a prehospital provider experiences. Access for administration of fluids and medications can be problematic.... More...

EMS Best Practice - Pleural Decompression

August 04, 2010 - The seldom used skill of Pleural Decompression is a potentially life saving procedure when applied appropriately.... More...

Best Practice Archive

Policy Clarification

Policy Clarification - ALS Provider Agencies AEMTS With Optional Scope

June 23, 2010 - This letter will serve to clarify optional scope questions that have arisen in recent days. First, the utilization of laryngoscopy is not allowed under the current statues.... More...

Policy Clarification - Changes in Scope of Practice Affect EMT-II Providers as They Transition to AEMTS

June 17, 2010 - This notification is to clarify misunderstandings regarding the transition from EMT-II to AEMT (Advanced EMT). Although the scope will be substantially the same, there are clear differences. I recently clarified these changes with the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA).... More...

Policy Clarification Archive

Memorandum

Memorandum - Emergency Medical Responders and Phasing-Out of First Responder Certification

October 12, 2015 - The prehospital certification level First Responder (FR) is based upon the Department of Transportation's (DOT) curriculum from the early 1990's. Although the cuuriculum covers many basics it was determined that it needed updating. This was the driving force behind the state's adoption of the DOT Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification level.

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Memorandum Archive