For every 1,000 Americans, about 404 made an emergency room visit to a community hospital in 2018. That’s more than 40% of the total population. And this number doesn’t even include millions of hospital inpatient stays or outpatient procedures, further emphasizing the importance—and challenges—of providing quality care every time someone walks in or is wheeled in the door. 

Paramedic training doesn’t just end the minute an EMT graduates from their school or program. In today’s world, medical needs and environments are constantly evolving, and professionals need versatile skillsets to attend to a wide range of emergencies daily.

Patient care providers—doctors, first responders, nurses, and a number of other experts—all must rely on a deep toolbox of life-saving equipment. Caring for patients requires that care providers know when, where, and how to use these tools and that they keep them ready to go at all times. This is more than just a professional duty – it’s a moral obligation. Care providers can face serious consequences when they fail to prepare and correctly use their tools. 

A medical suction pump is a key piece of equipment during oral surgery. The right suction pump improves patient outcomes, reduces the risk of complications, and can promptly intervene in the event of a serious dental emergency. Here are four key reasons dentists should invest in a quality medical suction machine. 

Airway management is a necessary intervention in many patient emergencies — from airway compromise to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. However, depending on how severe the patient’s condition is, and the invasiveness of the intervention, airway management often causes negative effects to patients’ mental and physical health. 

Drug overdoses, sudden injuries, respiratory issues, and myriad other health concerns can trigger cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death, but many of these deaths are preventable. Every year, more than 383,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals. Bystanders providing CPR immediately can double or triple the chance of survival. The figure is even higher when trained first responders are prepared to perform CPR while managing the airway. Airway management is key to successful CPR, and first responders must have the right equipment ready to go. 

For years, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared May to be “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month,” providing an opportunity to educate patients, families, caregivers and health care providers about the unique needs of those living with asthma and allergies.