Airway protection can be life-saving for people who are experiencing the effects of both acute and chronic respiratory illness. But airway protection is not an antidote to respiratory failure, and will not necessarily prevent it. Indeed, some doctors even argue that the need for airway protection is a sign of respiratory failure because the patient cannot effectively exchange gases on their own. Prompt intervention in a respiratory emergency may prevent respiratory failure in some cases, although there are no guarantees.  

As we have witnessed through recent natural disasters, hospitals are not immune to power loss. Even a brief disruption in power can affect many critical systems within the hospital. Medical vacuum is one example.

Most hospitals rely on a central source for their vacuum. Generally, a pump, or pumps, in the basement creates the vacuum that is delivered throughout the hospital through a series of pipes. Without electricity, the pump cannot function, and the vacuum is lost. Let’s review how this impacts normal hospital function and ways to mitigate this issue.

March was National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and address the barriers they face in daily life. 

If you could design your own airway bag, what would you put in it?

The longer we work in the field, the more we develop habits and preferences that find their way into our daily routines. You carry certain tools on your belt or in your pouch; you set up for an IV or an intubation using a set pattern; and you place everything in a specific spot so that you can grab it in a rush. 

When working in the medical field, especially in a post-pandemic world, taking the necessary steps to prevent spreading infections to loved ones in your home is essential. With chronic exposure to sick patients, the likelihood of bringing home an unwanted virus is high. There are a variety of ways providers can utilize best practices to reduce the risk of exposure.

The code is running smoothly, even though you have yet to secure an endotracheal tube. You are hastily setting up your airway equipment, good CPR is in progress, and the patient is being bagged when suddenly, the vomiting ensues. Fortunately, you’ve brought along your portable suction unit. You crank it on and get to work, but the vomit is proving a challenge. Instead of using a large-bore suction catheter, you’re stuck with only a small-tipped rigid catheter, which is rapidly losing the battle against the patient’s gastric contents.

First responders are on the front line of defense when it comes to keeping people safe. People depend on them to be there when disaster strikes, think quickly on their feet and make “game time” decisions. These expectations place a heavy weight on the shoulders of first responders, as each day, they’re faced with new high-stress situations. It’s important that first responders are able to lean on each other and their support systems for help, and that they’re equipped with stress management techniques that work best for them.

This post is an excerpt taken from our complementary ebook, The Emergency Preparedness Professional’s Guide to Planning for Hospital Supply Line Disruptions.

Recent natural disasters, such as Winter Storm Elliott, have demonstrated that hospitals can suffer crippling blows during times of crisis. But at the same time, hospitals are expected to provide continuous and safe patient care amidst these challenges.

It's three a.m., and you have just been dispatched to a "pediatric difficulty breathing." As you rub the sleep from your eyes, you perform a quick mental review of the PALS protocol, just in case. Perhaps the child simply has a cold, and the parent has panicked. It happens all the time. But perhaps it's something more serious. You had better be ready for anything.

Among the many emergencies that can occur while treating patients, bleeding in the airway — which can be caused by various disorders, injuries and even accidents during treatment — presents significant and unique challenges for providers navigating airway management.