Shifts for paramedics and emergency medical technicians can last as long as 24 hours. It’s no surprise that a day-long shift can include a lot of activity, especially in communities with limited EMS services or larger populations.

As an emergency medical professional, one of your most critical responsibilities is protecting your patient's airway. This can mean relieving an obstruction (using the Heimlich maneuver or forceps), placing an advanced airway (naso- or endotracheal tube), or simply repositioning the patient to keep their airway open (placing supine, using a jaw thrust). 

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be over 130,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. in 2022. This year, patients, providers and family members around the globe observed World Lung Cancer Day on August 1, which served as an opportunity to learn more about the disease and those affected as well as share resources to educate as many people as possible about risks, symptoms and treatment. 

The right portable suction machine is an integral part of patient care. Those charged with hospital purchasing are well aware of the role of wall-mounted and non-portable suction in patient wellness, but they may not consider the importance of portable suction. Before making this essential purchase, here are five facts you need to know about portable suction.

A variety of obstacles can make suctioning an airway difficult during an emergency or before an intubation procedure — not the least of which is damage to the upper chest or trachea. 

The use of e-cigarettes, or vapes, has become extremely popular in the United States. Among the top reasons, many see vaping as a healthier alternative to smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes — and given what we know about the latter, there is certainly some accuracy to that. 

Aspiration of pharyngeal or gastric material into the lungs is a significant risk for many patients in the ICU. This may lead to the development of aspiration pneumonia, which can cause serious complications.

Many people, from infants and children to adults with certain medical conditions, rely on tracheostomies for breathing assistance. A tracheostomy — which involves placing a tube through the front of the neck into the windpipe (trachea) to provide an air passage — is necessary in many cases, but it can also come with various risks and airway management concerns for patients and their providers. 

Today’s hospitals must be ready for everything. Whether it means complying with the 250 yard rule, or dealing with a regional or national disaster, or, as has been made so painfully clear, managing the patient surge generated by a national pandemic like COVID, hospitals must be prepared. Unfortunately, disaster can take many forms: earthquakes, floods, disease, and acts of terrorism are just a few. Since there is no such thing as a “normal disaster,” hospitals must be prepared to handle anything the world throws at them. In this article, we will discuss four obstacles a hospital can face when a disaster strikes: