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Posted by Sam D. Say
Jan 2, 2025 8:00:00 AM
Posted by Sam D. Say
Dec 28, 2024 8:00:00 AM
It’s a dramatic plot twist in movies, medical dramas, and even the occasional sitcom (think MacGyver): A character is choking or in respiratory distress and standard interventions like the Heimlich maneuver just aren’t cutting it. So a heroic bystander takes things into their own hands and jams a pen into the victim’s throat, much to everyone’s horror. But then, to everyone’s shock and relief, doing so clears the airway, allowing the survivor to breathe until help arrives. But can you really do this?
Topics: Airway management, airway obstruction
Hypercapnia, also known as hypercarbia or carbon dioxide toxicity, causes dangerous levels of CO2 in the blood. In most cases, it signals a respiratory problem such as poor lung function, but it can also happen among deep divers, particularly when they do not breathe adequately, or have contaminated oxygen supplies.
While the mortality rate of aspiration pneumonia depends on complications of the disease, the 30-day mortality rate hovers around 21%, with a higher rate of 29.7% in hospital-associated aspiration pneumonia. For uncomplicated pneumonia, the mortality rate is still high – around 5%.
Topics: Aspiration
Airway management is a key pillar of emergency medicine. When performed correctly, it can save lives, improve surgical outcomes, and improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients. However, airway management presents complications and risks. Knowing the contraindications for airway management can help you better serve patients and reduce the risk of needless morbidity.
Topics: Airway management
Posted by Sam D. Say
Dec 14, 2024 8:00:00 AM
The holiday season in the U.S. is upon us, and food, family, gifts, and much more bring us joy. Unfortunately, some unique challenges for emergency responders accompany these special days.
Topics: Emergency Preparedness
Assessing for a gag reflex is a basic skill that can become important in a variety of medical settings. It is also a way to measure brain death. Medical experts, however, now caution against using the gag reflex as a primary determinant of whether to intubate or as a measure of airway health. So first responders must balance competing information and studies to make informed decisions in each individual case. Here’s what you need to know about checking for a gag reflex in an intubated patient.
Topics: Intubation
Posted by Sam D. Say
Nov 30, 2024 8:00:00 AM
Almost all children become infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by the age of two. For neonates and immunocompromised babies, this can be a life-threatening disease. The unique airways of very young babies can compromise their ability to clear airway secretions, increasing the risk of serious complications. Deep suctioning can reduce their discomfort—and in some cases—even save their lives. Here’s what you need to know.
Topics: Pediatric Suction
A tracheostomy opens a direct airway into the neck. Its prevalence in long-term care is increasing, and some providers assert that early tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated patients may decrease complications and reduce morbidity.
Topics: Airway management
Posted by Sam D. Say
Nov 23, 2024 8:00:00 AM
Preplanning is part of the job as an emergency responder. Each shift, you must be prepared to answer any type of emergency that your community throws at you, so you had better plan ahead. When it comes to your equipment, especially your pharyngeal suction device, you want a unit that will fit the needs of the community in which you work. Here are a few considerations when choosing a portable suction unit.
Topics: Medical Suction
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