Every patient is unique, and this means expert airway management demands a critical, creative, adaptive approach. However, first responders should follow established protocols and guidelines to get the best results. A simple algorithm can help guide decision-making in airway management while still allowing room for flexible problem-solving. Follow these guidelines to speed up treatment and reduce errors if you encounter a difficult airway:

Often when we think of the airway, we consider the entire respiratory system, forgetting that the upper and lower airway structures have different anatomies and, thus, are affected by different respiratory issues.

Those of us in the medical profession know how important quality equipment is to overall patient care. We are only as good as our equipment; if it doesn't function well, it's hard for us to do our best. 

Endotracheal suctioning can reduce morbidity and mortality. But like all medical procedures, it carries a risk of complications, particularly when treating vulnerable patients or in the hands of inexperienced providers. 

On January 2, people around the nation — be they football fans or not — were stunned by the live images from the Monday night football game, as the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed seconds after a tackle. Trainers soon began performing CPR, as it was later revealed the young player’s heart stopped twice on the field and he could not breathe without medical assistance.

There is perhaps nothing more terrifying to new parents than breathing problems in an infant. Particularly among newborns, respiratory distress is a common and potentially life-threatening symptom. Key differences in the airways of infants and children make them more susceptible to certain respiratory problems. A keen understanding of upper airway anatomy can help you quickly and safely treat infants in respiratory distress.

For every 1,000 Americans, about 404 made an emergency room visit to a community hospital in 2018. That’s more than 40% of the total population. And this number doesn’t even include millions of hospital inpatient stays or outpatient procedures, further emphasizing the importance—and challenges—of providing quality care every time someone walks in or is wheeled in the door.