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Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products.

Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession.

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-SSCOR Team

 

AboutSam D. Say

Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions.

Airway Obstruction in The Elderly: What You Need to Know

Posted by Sam D. Say

Dec 13, 2022 8:00:00 AM

Age, weak muscle tone, chronic illnesses, and changes in the throat and esophagus increase the rate of airway obstructions in the elderly. A recent study that used spirometry measures as a clinical indicator of airway obstructions in patients aged 60-93 found an obstruction rate of 22.5% t. This suggests that many elders live with partial obstructions that compromise overall function and health. When they experience an injury or illness, it’s easy for a partial obstruction to become a life-threatening full obstruction. Here’s what you need to know.

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Topics: airway obstruction

7 Factors to Consider When Purchasing A Medical Suction Machine

Posted by Sam D. Say

Dec 9, 2022 8:00:00 AM

A suction machine is a key component of any medical toolkit. In hospital settings, it prevents aspiration and protects the airway during medical procedures ranging from routine to revolutionary. SSCOR offers a range of suction devices for every agency and need.

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Topics: Medical Suction

Successfully Disinfecting Equipment and Emergency Environments

Posted by Sam D. Say

Dec 7, 2022 6:00:00 AM

Long before the events of the past few years put a worldwide emphasis on guarding against viruses and dangerous bacteria, health care providers well understood the virtues of cleaning surfaces and guarding against pathogens. 

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How to Distinguish Respiratory Distress from Failure

Posted by Sam D. Say

Dec 6, 2022 8:00:00 AM

Respiratory emergencies come in many forms. It could be an asthmatic who has suffered since childhood; a COPD patient who still smokes a pack a day; or a near-drowning who was pulled from the deep end of the pool. Whatever the crisis, as an emergency responder you are called on to treat it. 

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Topics: Airway management

Airway Anatomy: A Brief Review

Posted by Sam D. Say

Dec 2, 2022 8:00:00 AM

As a paramedic or EMT, your first responsibility in patient care is to secure a patent airway. Whether you are placing an EOA to elevate the tongue of an overdosed patient, suctioning the oropharynx of a trauma code, or inserting an endotracheal tube for a patient who has stopped breathing, a thorough understanding of the structures that make up the respiratory tract is a must. Here is a brief review of airway anatomy to ensure you're ready for the next respiratory emergency.

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Topics: Airway management

Mitigating Common Errors in Suctioning and Airway Maintenance

Posted by Sam D. Say

Nov 30, 2022 12:49:00 PM

 

Chief among a health care provider’s worst nightmares, apart from losing a patient, is unintentionally doing harm to one. In addition to a feeling of failure or shame, a poor outcome carries the risk of a malpractice allegation.

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Topics: Emergency Preparedness

Which Suction Catheter Tip Do You Need?

Posted by Sam D. Say

Nov 29, 2022 8:00:00 AM

The right suction catheter can save patients’ lives. The wrong one can cause pharyngeal injuries, reduce suction power, and even increase morbidity and mortality. Whether you’re purchasing suction catheters for portable use in EMS settings, for the hospital, or for a medical clinic, selecting a variety of tips is key. This strategy ensures that providers always have the right suction catheter on hand. Here are some questions to ask before making your next purchase.

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Topics: Medical Suction

When to Perform Nasotracheal Suctioning

Posted by Sam D. Say

Nov 25, 2022 8:00:00 AM

 

We all know what an important role suctioning plays in airway management. Imagine treating a respiratory, trauma, or cardiac arrest patient without the aid of suction. Impossible, right? Effective nasotracheal suctioning can mean the difference between a patent and a non-patent airway. It can also mean the difference between life and death for your patient. 

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Topics: Emergency medical suction, nasotracheal intubation

What Should Be in a First Responder’s Tactical Trauma Kit?

Posted by Sam D. Say

Nov 22, 2022 8:00:00 AM

Sooner or later, every first responder encounters a tactical medical scenario. These high-stress, high-stakes events demand a prompt and competent response. Some of the most common injuries include collapsed lungs, hemorrhages, airway obstructions, and emergency mental health issues. First responders themselves may also face dangers, so it’s important to plan to protect yourself, not just your patients. 

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Topics: Tactical trauma kit

Predictors of Difficult Bag Valve Mask Ventilation

Posted by Sam D. Say

Nov 18, 2022 8:00:00 AM

As a foundational tool in the basic airway management toolkit, bag valve mask ventilation can save lives, relieve patient stress, and make transport easier. Bag valve mask ventilation is appropriate when a patient shows signs of hypoxic respiratory failure, apnea, or hypoxically induced altered mental states. Patients who are hyperventilating or have sustained injuries that reduce respiratory effort may also require ventilation. It may be appropriate to ventilate women in labor when there is reason to believe that they are not getting adequate oxygen or are so fatigued that breathing becomes difficult.

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Topics: Medical Suction