Let’s face it: Pediatric patients make even the most seasoned paramedics a bit nervous. Because adults make up the majority of EMS patients, when that little one comes along, it can produce anxiety even among the most experienced medics. And when the child is having trouble breathing, your unease can go through the roof.

In 2018, Hurricane Michael required the evacuation of eight hospitals. Thanks to a thoughtful evacuation plan and quick action, no evacuees died. An emergency patient transport plan is critical to patient survival and can help preserve your organization’s reputation during a major crisis.

Hospitals are required to have emergency plans, so make sure yours is truly effective by following these steps.

You understand the importance of clearing your patient’s airway in an emergency. To do this, you know that an appropriate suction device is necessary to remove secretions, vomit, blood, or foreign materials that may be causing an obstruction or distress. You are also aware that your hospital stocks portable suction machines to be used as needed. But have you ever thought about the fact that where you store your portable suction machine makes a difference?

Public health experts have been warning about a worldwide pandemic for decades. Unwilling or unable to believe what could happen, most people put their heads in the sand. We’ve now seen that a local virus can tear through lives across the globe, upending everything we do. 

The next pandemic is inevitable. Hopefully, it won’t be as bad as COVID, and we will be better prepared. There’s a distinct possibility, however, that it will be worse. Here’s what your agency can do now to get ready for whatever lies ahead. 

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is easier said than done, and sometimes it can be easy to lose sight of taking care of yourself in the hustle and bustle of life. We tend to take our lungs for granted and ignore the value in having a healthy airway. There are many ways to ensure that you are keeping your airway at its best. The American Lung Association has identified key areas in which people tend to fall short of a healthy airway.

When patients die during or after an aspiration event, it’s often because of the exposure to airway contaminants, not hypoxia. The risk of death increases with the volume of fluid inhaled. This is why diligent, intelligent suction can prove life-saving, especially in someone with limited mobility who is actively aspirating or vomiting. The right suction device quickly clears airway obstructions with a high flow rate and powerful suction.

The opioid overdose epidemic is hitting cities and towns across the nation, with a death toll that is both shocking and rapidly growing. In 2021, 80,411 people died from an opioid overdose, and they are a factor in seven out of 10 overdose deaths. A prompt response to a suspected or confirmed opioid overdose can help slow the epidemic. Airway management is critical for acute care following an overdose. Here’s what you need to know.

One of the biggest topics of conversation dominating news coverage and the internet in recent weeks and months has been the impact of Canadian wildfires on air quality and the environment in the northeastern U.S. and beyond.

There were more than 5,300 choking deaths in 2021. Aspiration remains alarmingly common and accounts for about 15.8% of community-acquired pneumonia cases. This means airway management remains a critical and life-saving tool for EMS responders. Whether it’s intubating a choking victim, clearing the airway in a patient suffering from pneumonia, or dealing with the aftermath of aspiration, suction catheters are an essential tool in every first responder’s kit.

Responding to pediatric special needs patients can be challenging. Depending on the disability, the person may be unable to relate pertinent information about their complaint, level of discomfort, or emotional state. And when the emergency involves the respiratory tract, it only increases the stress of the situation. Let’s discuss some considerations when performing a respiratory assessment on pediatric patients with special needs.