Airway obstructions are a common emergency, especially among pediatric and geriatric patients. Choking is a common hazard and a prominent cause of childhood death and injury among children under age four, claiming at least one child’s life every few days. In the case of geriatric patients, the risk of airway obstructions due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and airway injuries greatly increases with age. The airway also becomes more fragile as a person gets older, making it more difficult to treat airway issues. Several techniques can open an obstructed airway, but the right technique depends on the reason for the obstruction. 

 Sooner or later, every first responder encounters a difficult airway. Training for these scenarios is critical for improving patient care and reducing first responder frustration and burnout. There’s no substitute for lived experience, critical feedback from experienced providers, and drills that mimic real-world situations. And keeping these five tips in mind can help you more effectively treat difficult airways. 

As an emergency medical professional, you rely on sophisticated tools to treat your patients. From cardiac monitors that defibrillate and cardiovert to drugs that reverse anaphylaxis and pulmonary edema, you are responsible not only for the benefits but also the dangers associated with such therapies. Even the simplest treatment can pose serious harm when not applied properly. A great example is your portable suction machine. Here, we’ll discuss three dangerous mistakes to avoid when applying portable suction in the field.

Allergies, a minor cold, and the flu can all cause airway discomfort. Complications from these usually minor conditions can be dangerous, especially in vulnerable people such as the elderly and children. Also, serious conditions such as aspiration, partial obstructions, pneumonia, and other disorders may also trigger airway discomfort. As a first responder, it’s important to know when airway discomfort is a sign of a serious problem or just a passing symptom.

Life as a paramedic means intense highs when you save lives and tend to grateful patients, as well as bottomless lows when patients die, suffer, or become combative and angry. You’ll need to be prepared for the sudden adrenaline rush of a patient in need, as well as the slow and methodical approach of intubation, explaining procedures to patients, as well as gaining the trust of seniors and children. Paramedic jobs consistentlyrank among the most stressful professions. Over time, this stress affects both your physical and mental health.

In prehospital and emergency settings, oral suctioning may be overlooked as a basictask that is performed without harm to the patient. The reality is, oral suctioning is not without its risks and complications. In addition to complications related to the procedure itself, oral suctioning complications may arise because of ineffective or incorrect technique. Let’s explore the various oral suctioning procedure complications and discuss ways you can prevent them in your patients.

As deep winter approaches, it’s time to think about temperature-related emergencies. Regions across the country will experience freezing temperatures, along with sleet and snow. As a prehospital professional, you will be called to treat patients suffering a range of weather-related issues. To prepare for the onslaught of winter, let’s review some of the dangers of hypothermia.