Pregnant patients exhibit various unique characteristics which first responders must account for during treatment.

A significant challenge responders encounter when treating pregnant women is navigating difficult airway anatomy and possible risks during airway management. A statistic from the Society of Critical Care Medicine reveals that the rate of failed intubation in pregnant patients is 8 to 10 times higher than in nonpregnant patients, and this is largely due to anatomical changes, hormone production and aspiration risks that occur during pregnancy.

The code is running smoothly, even though you have yet to secure an endotracheal tube. You are hastily setting up your airway equipment, good CPR is in progress, and the patient is being bagged when suddenly, the vomiting ensues. Fortunately, you’ve brought along your portable suction unit. You crank it on and get to work, but the vomit is proving a challenge. Instead of using a large-bore suction catheter, you’re stuck with only a small-tipped rigid catheter, which is rapidly losing the battle against the patient’s gastric contents.

As a paramedic, you are frequently called upon to treat respiratory emergencies. These emergencies come in many forms, from asthmatics to Those with emphysema to pediatrics suffering from obstructions. No matter the type of call, emergencies involving the respiratory system are some of the most critical you will handle. And recognizing the true respiratory emergency is the first step in treating it. It all starts with your assessment.

First responders are on the front line of defense when it comes to keeping people safe. People depend on them to be there when disaster strikes, think quickly on their feet and make “game time” decisions. These expectations place a heavy weight on the shoulders of first responders, as each day, they’re faced with new high-stress situations. It’s important that first responders are able to lean on each other and their support systems for help, and that they’re equipped with stress management techniques that work best for them.

This post is an excerpt taken from our complementary ebook, The Emergency Preparedness Professional’s Guide to Planning for Hospital Supply Line Disruptions.

Recent natural disasters, such as Winter Storm Elliott, have demonstrated that hospitals can suffer crippling blows during times of crisis. But at the same time, hospitals are expected to provide continuous and safe patient care amidst these challenges.

It's three a.m., and you have just been dispatched to a "pediatric difficulty breathing." As you rub the sleep from your eyes, you perform a quick mental review of the PALS protocol, just in case. Perhaps the child simply has a cold, and the parent has panicked. It happens all the time. But perhaps it's something more serious. You had better be ready for anything.

Among the many emergencies that can occur while treating patients, bleeding in the airway — which can be caused by various disorders, injuries and even accidents during treatment — presents significant and unique challenges for providers navigating airway management.

Every shift can present a range of medical emergencies. Myocardial infarctions (MI), strokes, traumatic injuries—you must be ready for anything. And any one of these patients can devolve into a critical suction scenario. The MI may lapse into cardiac arrest; the stroke may render swallowing ineffective; and the trauma patient may have facial injuries producing copious blood in the mouth. You must have suction at the ready for every patient. Your priority is always a patent airway.

The critical aspect of suction readiness is having procedures in place that ensure you are prepared. So let's discuss some of the aspects of emergency suction procedures for paramedics.

One of the most critical scenarios a paramedic will respond to is a respiratory emergency. Respiratory distress can be linked to many underlying medical problems, so it must be recognized immediately, treated proficiently, and monitored continuously. But like any medical emergency, treatment begins with a good assessment.

In a perfect world, a patient will be sedated before intubation, but as emergency care providers understand, conditions often are not optimal and other approaches are necessary.