With the advent of minimally invasive in-office procedures, patients are increasingly choosing sedation instead of general anesthesia. Sedation exists on a continuum, ranging from very mild sedation to deep sedation, but it is generally safer than anesthesia and requires a shorter recovery time. Patients also may require sedation in some emergency medicine scenarios.

Anyone working in patient care knows how important oropharyngeal suctioning is to maintaining airway patency. Not only does it remove bodily fluids (blood, mucus, saliva, and vomit) from the airway, but it also allows visualization of the vocal cords during intubation—a crucial step in establishing an advanced airway.

Around 1.4 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospices in the United States annually. To optimize the quality of life for patients in hospice and palliative care settings, healthcare providers must be knowledgeable about the unique breathing problems and airway emergencies these patients experience, along with the best methods for airway management and treatment.

Endotracheal intubation offers life-saving relief when an airway obstruction endangers a patient’s life. Yet many first responders have little experience with endotracheal intubation, and some actively avoid training opportunities because they feel overwhelmed and intimidated by the process. Endotracheal intubation is a basic skill that every first responder must master.

Every paramedic knows their equipment is only as good as its upkeep. Drugs go out of date, oxygen tanks become depleted, and batteries lose their charge. Unless you remain vigilant, your equipment will fail you when you need it the most. This is especially true of one of your most basic, yet essential tools: your portable suction unit.

Anyone in the medical field can attest to an epidemic sweeping our country: opioid overdose . This lethal condition has touched every region of the US and is now a leading cause of death. It’s been proclaimed a national health crisis. If you're an EMS responder, it is simply a matter of time before you are faced with this situation. 

Pediatric intubation is a frightening scenario for a parent. Thanks in part to differences in children’s airway anatomy, they are more vulnerable to respiratory distress. Your agency must offer regular training on pediatric intubation because the pediatric airway is smaller, more difficult to access, and more susceptible to injury. Knowledge is no substitute for experience, so take every opportunity to practice pediatric intubation.

Difficult airways come as a surprise in 93% of cases, yet most could have been predicted with the right assessment protocols. More than 5% of airways would get a high difficulty score from an assessment. But with the right preparation, the risks plummet.

Suctioning can be life-saving in neonates, particularly those born prematurely and those struggling with the transition from fetus to neonate. Like any medical intervention, it also presents some risks, especially if performed absent medical indication or hastily and thoughtlessly. Identifying the most common neonatal suction catheter complications can help you reduce patient risk, improving care outcomes and potentially saving lives.

Protecting the airway is key to protecting the patient, regardless of the reason for an EMS call. Almost all of the most common EMS emergencies involve risk to the airway. Consider the following common emergencies, and how the airway may be involved: