Effective oral and nasal suctioning is a proven lifesaving treatment. When faced with an obstructed airway, due to blood, vomit, or secretions, there is no substitute for suctioning.

We’re all familiar with the proper steps in suctioning, but perhaps it’s been awhile since you’ve performed this vital skill. So, in an effort to enhance patient safety, let’s review some medical suction requirements so that we reduce some of its potential complications.

The start of the new year provides a great opportunity for reassessing your field procedures. Perhaps you are working with new personnel. Or you’ve been promoted to a new position, where you will oversee fellow employees. No matter the degree of change the new year ushers in, it is always a good idea to reflect on your daily treatment regimes. Are they working? Are they efficient? Perhaps some continuing education is in order, or maybe new equipment should be added to your assemblage.

As a healthcare provider, you know the critical role your portable suction unit plays in treating tenuous airways. Whether you’re a flight paramedic, an EMT on an ambulance, or a nurse on a floor, nothing can take the place of an effective suction unit.

So, if you find yourself in need of choosing a new unit for your department or replacing old equipment, here are a few key components you should look for when choosing a quality suction machine.

As a paramedic, you know how important a well-provisioned trauma bag can be. A fully stocked trauma bag enables you to begin treatment immediately, no matter the illness or injury. Bleeding can be controlled with trauma dressings and tourniquets, CPR can be initiated with a bag-valve device, and pneumothoraces can be decompressed with a kit or a well-placed catheter. A good trauma bag is essential.

Today’s mobile medicine comes in many forms. Traditional EMS units make up the bulk of this realm, but now there are numerous specialized transport services that add to the number of patients being treated out of hospital.

As a medical professional, you know the critical role suctioning plays in airway management. Whether you are a medic on a rescue, a flight nurse on a helicopter, or part of an emergency room staff, you’ve seen how effective suctioning can be for a patient in respiratory distress.

The start of the new year provides a perfect opportunity for reflection. What are your goals for the coming months? Is there a professional milestone you hope to achieve? A degree you plan to complete? Whether you are an EMS responder, a flight medic or nurse, or a hospital-based caregiver, you work in an environment that is ever-changing. And you must be willing to stay up to date: through continuing education, learning new skills, and keeping up on the latest technical breakthroughs in the dynamic field of medicine.

Every day, millions of Americans reap the benefits of our modern medical system. From advances in cancer treatment to surgical implants, we are living longer, healthier lives thanks to new technology, more effective drugs, and greater diagnostic precision.

We all know the saying “You get what you pay for.” In a world where we are bombarded by inexpensive, substandard imports, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important. But when it comes to EMS equipment, there is no substitute for effective, high-quality gear, and one of the most important tools of the trade is a well-made portable suction unit.

The rookie showed up at the station, gear in hand, to begin his first shift on the rescue. Fresh out of paramedic school, he was ready for action, his pockets stuffed with gadgets, his gear shiny and new. As a seasoned medic, what kind of advice would you give him? How about starting with teamwork?