Often when we think of the airway, we consider the entire respiratory system, forgetting that the upper and lower airway structures have different anatomies and, thus, are affected by different respiratory issues.

On January 2, people around the nation — be they football fans or not — were stunned by the live images from the Monday night football game, as the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed seconds after a tackle. Trainers soon began performing CPR, as it was later revealed the young player’s heart stopped twice on the field and he could not breathe without medical assistance.

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.

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. 

Before the fall of 2022, most people were not thinking much about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), even though most children get the illness by age 2, and even adults get the disease. But a remarkable surge of RSV cases, coupled with a heavy flu season and ongoing COVID-19 infections, is creating a trifecta of respiratory diseases that is wreaking havoc and pushing hospitals to the limit, and EMTs are seeing an uptick in calls concerning those facing serious symptoms.

Long before the events of the past few years put a worldwide emphasis on guarding against viruses and dangerous bacteria, health care providers well understood the virtues of cleaning surfaces and guarding against pathogens. 

The right suction catheter can save patients’ lives. The wrong one can cause pharyngeal injuries, reduce suction power, and even increase morbidity and mortality. Whether you’re purchasing suction catheters for portable use in EMS settings, for the hospital, or for a medical clinic, selecting a variety of tips is key. This strategy ensures that providers always have the right suction catheter on hand. Here are some questions to ask before making your next purchase.