You only stepped out of the meeting for a minute just to grab another cup of coffee, but while you were out, your fellow firefighters voted that you be the one tasked with designing and stocking the new first-in bags that will be carried on all the rescues of your department. How to begin?

When we think of summer, we associate it with fun activities like barbecues, swimming and sunbathing. But what we don’t usually think of are the hazardous airway scenarios that can occur during these happy times – especially with children. Educating yourself on the potential risks can help save your life and your summer!

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are incredibly damaging, and they can change the course of a person’s life forever. In the U.S. alone, every year, roughly 17,700 individuals acquire an SCI. When it comes to airway management of patients with SCI, there are many considerations providers must keep in mind related to the impact of SCI on airway function, and the connection between the airway, cervical column and spinal cord.

Aspiration refers to the inhalation of foreign material into the lungs and lower airways. This can include blood, vomit, and oropharyngeal secretions, as well as exogenous substances. Aspiration pneumonia can develop as a resulting complication.

As an emergency responder, you know that no two patients are exactly alike. Sure, you may employ the same protocols, such as ACLS during a code or PHTLS for a trauma victim, but each patient presents unique challenges, and you must be able to customize your treatment strategy.

When faced with the challenge of transporting someone in respiratory distress, emergency responders should be able to identify the symptoms and remain prepared to spring into action with the right procedures and equipment.

 

No matter the size or location of your hospital, your crash carts are going to serve a similar function: to provide you with the necessary equipment and medications to respond to cardiac and respiratory emergencies. Though variations will exist depending on hospital policies, type of unit, and typical patient population, you can expect most crash carts to follow the same framework of fundamental supplies.

 

Investing in a quality portable suction unit helps ensure that you can protect and clear each patient’s airway. But the right machine is just one component of proper airway maintenance; your machine must also work properly. One of your daily tasks should be portable suction machine maintenance. Here’s what you need to know about keeping each unit in excellent working order.

As we know, no two people are the same, and the same standard goes for each person’s airway. Airways come in all shapes and sizes, and to provide better care for patients, practitioners should understand how to treat and overcome the challenges associated with difficult airways. Providers knowing what to do and what not to do when encountering difficult airways is essential for tracheal intubation.

Waste management has always formed the core of infection prevention. The COVID-19 crisis brought this to the fore: Fluid waste disposal and basic suction catheter maintenance are not just boxes to check on a form.

 

They can mean the difference between life and death and between a pandemic spreading to others or stopping with you. The following guidelines can help you manage fluid waste, protect your patients, and stop the spread of contagious infections.