COVID changed virtually everything about respiratory care. For many agencies, respiratory emergencies requiring suction were once relatively rare, especially in some regions. Now, as the virus persists and mutates, they’re a standard part of daily care, and every care provider must become a suction expert.

Respiratory emergencies come in many forms. It could be an asthmatic who has suffered since childhood, a COPD patient who still smokes a pack a day, or a near-drowning who was pulled from the deep end of the pool. Whatever the crisis, as an emergency responder, you are called on to treat it. 

As a paramedic or EMT, your first responsibility in patient care is to secure a patent airway. Whether you are placing an EOA to elevate the tongue of an overdosed patient, suctioning the oropharynx of a trauma code, or inserting an endotracheal tube for a patient who has stopped breathing, a thorough understanding of the structures that make up the respiratory tract is a must. 

A medical suction pump is a key piece of equipment for oral surgery. The right suction machine improves patient outcomes, reduces the risk of complications, and can promptly intervene in the event of a serious dental emergency.

As a foundational tool in the basic airway management toolkit, bag valve mask ventilation can save lives, relieve patient stress, and make transport easier. Bag valve mask ventilation is appropriate when a patient shows signs of hypoxic respiratory failure, apnea, or hypoxically induced altered mental states. Patients who are hyperventilating or have sustained injuries that reduce respiratory effort may also require ventilation. It may be appropriate to ventilate women in labor when there is reason to believe that they are not getting adequate oxygen or are so fatigued that breathing becomes difficult.

For years, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared May National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, which offers the perfect opportunity to educate patients, families, caregivers, and health care providers about the unique needs of those living with asthma and allergies. 

Age, weak muscle tone, chronic illnesses, and changes in the throat and esophagus increase the rate of airway obstructions in the elderly. A recent study that used spirometry measures as a clinical indicator of airway obstructions in patients aged 60-93 found an obstruction rate of 22.5%.

A suction machine is a key component of any medical toolkit. In hospital settings, it prevents aspiration and protects the airway during medical procedures ranging from routine to revolutionary. SSCOR offers a range of suction devices for every agency and in every need.

We all know that treating pediatric patients is nothing like treating adults. For one thing, young patients tend to add even more stress to any emergency. The infrequency with which emergency personnel treat pediatrics usually equates to less assurance and more anxiety. Children also require a separate set of drug dosages, which can be difficult to memorize when used so infrequently.

When you think of in-hospital suction, you probably picture the typical wall-mounted unit that is supplied by vacuum lines piped throughout the building. What may not come readily to mind are portable suction units, but portable suction plays a vital role in the hospital setting. Let's familiarize ourselves with in-hospital suction strategies.