Airway management is a priority for nurses and first responders alike. A critical component of this is effective airway clearance techniques to manage oropharyngeal secretions. Whether in the field or in a hospital, the how and when of oral suctioning must be mastered in order to ensure the patient's patent airway.

In the last 8 years, rural America has seen 83 hospitals close their doors¹, putting added strain on already limited resources and leaving communities without access to emergency healthcare. The remaining hospitals are responsible for a wider radius of territory which has led to increased patient transport time. As a result, first response care has become even more crucial in rural communities when an emergency situation arises and every second counts.

With 30 states now reporting widespread flu activity, January is prime time to revisit flu prevention strategies and sharpen respiratory management skills. More than 7 million people have gotten the flu so far this year, with as many as 83,000 hospitalized because of respiratory complications. Sixteen children have already died. This is in spite of a flu vaccine that appears to be mostly effective this season.

Portable aspirators are an important tool in every first responder’s kit. They’re the first line of defense against aspiration and respiratory obstructions. Yet no medical procedure is without risk, especially with inadequate training or a rushed approach to care. First responders must continually drill the use of portable aspirators so that they're prepared to intervene in an emergency; otherwise, patients can suffer from preventable iatrogenic injuries, some of which can even prove life-threatening. Individualized treatment, thoughtful and comprehensive assessment, and skillful use of portable aspirators can greatly reduce the risk of injury.

It may still be frigid in your region of the country, but warmer weather is on the way, and soon frozen ground will give way to daffodils and crocuses. Families across the country are already planning spring vacations. Those vacations bring new experiences, new foods, and new exposure to allergens. For some people, these new allergen exposures can trigger a potentially lethal anaphylactic reaction. Now is the time to brush up on allergy management skills so your team can be prepared.

It’s an expression so familiar that it seems ridiculous even to mention: a failure to plan is a plan to fail. This aphorism pervades for a reason: it’s true. If you don’t have basic trauma supplies on hand, you lose precious time when tending to patients. When lives hang in the balance, time is often the most valuable asset you have.

Operating a suction machine demands skill and precision. Yet many nurses only perform suctioning at times of high stress and chaos, such as in a tactical medical scenario or on a patient who has aspirated. Suction errors are preventable, but can also be catastrophic. According to research published in 2016, medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

As every paramedic quickly learns, paramedic training doesn’t end with graduation from paramedic school. The realities of high stakes emergencies demand more attention, thought, and flexibility than the theoretical challenges presented in school. But on-the-job experience is not enough. Continuing education allows you to master new skills, remain abreast of current research, and practice skills you use only infrequently at work.