Central Kentucky Paramedic Program

09/19/2026

ECG Axis Interpretation in 60 Seconds:

Reading a 12-lead ECG and confused by the frontal plane axis? Don't overcomplicate it. By analyzing the net direction of the QRS complex (Up/Positive vs. Down/Negative) in Lead I and Lead aVF, you can instantly determine the heart’s electrical vector.

Diagnostic cheat sheet for daily clinical practice:

The Two-Lead Method (Lead I & Lead aVF)

1. Normal Axis (-30 to +90 degrees)

- ECG Signature: Lead I is Positive + Lead aVF is Positive.

- Mnemonic: Both thumbs point UP (Double thumbs up is always Normal).

- Clinical Meaning: Normal, physiological electrical conduction.

2. Left Axis Deviation (LAD) (-30 to -90 degrees)

- ECG Signature: Lead I is Positive + Lead aVF is Negative.

- Mnemonic: The vectors are Leaving each other (Lead I points up, Lead aVF points down) -> LAD.

- Common Causes: Left Anterior Fascicular Block (LAFB), Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH), inferior MI, or ventricular pacing.

- Clinical Pearl: Look at Lead II to differentiate. If Lead II is Positive, it is Physiologic LAD (0 to -30 degrees). If Lead II is Negative, it is Pathologic LAD (-30 to -90 degrees).

3. Right Axis Deviation (RAD) (+90 to +180 degrees)

- ECG Signature: Lead I is Negative + Lead aVF is Positive.

- Mnemonic: The vectors are Reaching toward each other (Lead I points down, Lead aVF points up) -> RAD.

- Common Causes: Right Ventricular Hypertrophy (RVH), acute Pulmonary Embolism (PE), lateral MI, COPD/cor pulmonale, or Left Posterior Fascicular Block (LPFB).

4. Extreme Axis / "Northwest Axis" (-90 to +/-180 degrees)

- ECG Signature: Lead I is Negative + Lead aVF is Negative.

- Mnemonic: Both thumbs point DOWN -> Extreme or Indeterminate Axis.

- Common Causes: Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), severe hyperkalemia, limb lead reversal (lead swap), or severe emphysema.

Clinically

Always compare the current tracing with the patient's prior ECGs. A sudden, acute shift in the electrical axis suggests acute structural or functional cardiopulmonary pathology such as a pulmonary embolism causing a new right axis deviation, or an acute myocardial infarction altering ventricular activation pathways.

09/13/2026

09/11/2026

It's been 25 years since the 9/11 terror attacks on America. On Friday, the nation will remember those lost on that fateful day and take a moment of silence in their memory.

On this quarter-century anniversary of the attacks, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will add a seventh moment of silence to honor those who have died of illnesses related to their time at or near the World Trade Center site.

09/10/2026

Congratulations!!!

We are extremely proud to share some well-deserved national recognition for Jessamine County EMS.

Assistant Chief Floyd Miracle and Paramedic Madison Phillips, our Blood Program Coordinator, have been invited to serve as faculty at the 40th Annual Scientific Assembly of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) in January 2027. Floyd and Madison will join Dr. Andrew Bernard, Chief of Trauma Surgery at the University of Kentucky, to teach a national audience about the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of our multi-agency prehospital whole blood program.

This is more than an invitation to attend. They have been asked to share what we have built here in Jessamine County with trauma physicians, researchers, and EMS and hospital leaders from across the country. This recognition reflects the dedication, expertise, and hard work of Floyd, Madison, our entire EMS team, and our outstanding partners at the University of Kentucky.

Please join us in congratulating Floyd, Madison, and Dr. Bernard on this exceptional accomplishment. We are proud to have them representing Jessamine County EMS and our community on a national stage.

09/04/2026

💚 September is National Su***de Prevention Month 💚

For first responders, taking care of our behavioral health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. This September, we’re reminding everyone that support, education, and resources are available—and sometimes simply knowing what to look for or how to help can make a difference.

The First Responder Center for Excellence offers FREE online behavioral health training designed specifically for the first responder community, including:

🧠 Finding Hope
🧠 Introduction to Well-Being and Self-Care for First Responders
🧠 Stress First Aid (SFA)
🧠 Stress First Aid (SFA) Part 2
🧠 Curbside Manner: Stress First Aid for the Streets
🧠 Stress First Aid for Chaplains

Whether you take a course for yourself, your crew, or to better support someone who may be struggling, we encourage you to take advantage of these free resources.

📲 Access our FREE online training at firstrespondercenter.org

You are not alone. Help is here.

Together we are Stronger 💪

09/04/2026

Mark your calendars for next week!

Did you see FREE PEDIATRICS CE! Don't wait till March to scramble to find them; get them while the getting is good!

Future You will thank you for knocking out those pediatric hours NOW instead of panic-searching for CE in March.

Register TODAY: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=at3T2pjELEOCzoa7iLPSlGw8V46lehRAuDrSMmuBSLBUNEUwTlhIQThBUFVRWEJGUEdNQTFPWUk2WC4u&origin=QRCode