COVID-19, the novel coronavirus with apparent origins in Wuhan, China, has overtaken the world of emergency medicine. It’s so new that doctors can’t confidently assert much about it, except that it is highly contagious and potentially lethal. Its specific lethality, however, remains hotly contested—and difficult to prove, given low testing rates and the relatively high prevalence of asymptomatic carriers. You probably already know the basics. Here are five things you must understand to protect yourself and the people you serve. 

Car accidents are the leading cause of blunt chest trauma. More than 6 million car accidents occur each year in the United States, injuring at least 3 million drivers. Violence is also a common culprit, especially when guns are involved. First responders will inevitably encounter many forms of chest trauma. A comprehensive patient assessment can help you prioritize treatment goals and stabilize patients for transport. However, knowing the most common injuries associated with blunt chest trauma can expedite the assessment and improve treatment outcomes. 

Even minor wounds can be distressing, especially in patients with bleeding disorders or communicable diseases. Major wounds can be life-threatening, necessitating a prompt response that anticipates complications such as bradycardia and shock. Wound management is a cornerstone of good emergency medicine, and so careful planning and frequent preparation should be part of every team’s continuing education. 

Prehospital care is about much more than just stabilizing patients and moving them on to the next step. The decisions you make can have far-reaching implications for a patient’s life and well-being. This is why it’s so important to gather as much information as possible, and to act collaboratively with family members. Include them in the decision-making process as much as you can, and remember that the patient has final say over their treatment. 

Prehospital airway suctioning can treat aspiration, choking, obstructed airways, and other common emergencies. Yet many first responders spend little time thinking about, let alone practicing, this vital skill. Because all interventions, including suctioning, carry some risks, this lack of experience may make providers reluctant to suction patients. Training EMS teams on prehospital airway suctioning can counteract this reluctance and empower teams to provide prompt, efficient, effective care in a wide variety of emergency settings. 

Respiratory issues are common in children. Choking remains a leading cause of childhood injury and death. About 1 percent of newborns experience respiratory distress, and respiratory issues are the leading cause of death among premature infants. Drowning and aspiration are relatively common. An injured or sick child is always a crisis, and caregivers may be panicking as you tend to their beloved little one. The following tips can help you masterfully treat children in a way that saves their lives, protects their dignity, and reassures their caregivers.