One of the most critical aspects of emergency care is managing the airway. Nothing takes priority over the airway, for no amount of resuscitation, medication, or stabilization will matter if your patient lacks a patent airway.

Exercise is beneficial for people of all ages looking to remain active and prioritize their physical and emotional health. Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise, it also positively affects lung health.

When we think of summer, we associate it with fun activities like barbecues, swimming and sunbathing. But what we don’t usually think of are the hazardous airway scenarios that can occur during these happy times – especially with children. Educating yourself on the potential risks can help save your life and your summer!

Aspiration refers to the inhalation of foreign material into the lungs and lower airways. This can include blood, vomit, and oropharyngeal secretions, as well as exogenous substances. Aspiration pneumonia can develop as a resulting complication.

As we know, no two people are the same, and the same standard goes for each person’s airway. Airways come in all shapes and sizes, and to provide better care for patients, practitioners should understand how to treat and overcome the challenges associated with difficult airways. Providers knowing what to do and what not to do when encountering difficult airways is essential for tracheal intubation.

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are incredibly damaging, and they can change the course of a person’s life forever. In the U.S. alone, every year, roughly 17,700 individuals acquire an SCI. When it comes to airway management of patients with SCI, there are many considerations providers must keep in mind related to the impact of SCI on airway function, and the connection between the airway, cervical column and spinal cord.

Emergency responders have a million thoughts racing through their heads when treating patients, especially when it comes to pediatrics. In the event of a pediatric airway blockage, the stakes are high, and emergency responders must think on their feet. The best way to protect children from dangerous scenarios is to educate yourself on the anatomy of the airway and to know when and how to effectively perform a pediatric airway assessment.

An obese, 72-year old male comes into the ER experiencing acute respiratory distress. He has a history of obstructive sleep apnea. The patient is suctioned and attempts to provide bag-mask ventilation are unsuccessful. His condition rapidly deteriorates. It becomes evident that intubation is needed, and noting the blue bracelet on the patient’s wrist reading “Difficult to Intubate”, the ER doctor pages the airway response team stat…

Depending on the emergency and treatment circumstance, it can often be helpful to have patients’ family members present to answer questions about a patient’s background or medical history, but it can also be overwhelming and add even more stress for the providers and patients involved.

March was National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (D.D.A.M.), an opportunity to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and address the barriers they face in daily life. Around 15% of the world’s population live with a disability, a number that’s increasing annually due to demographic changes including population aging and a global increase in chronic health conditions.

Like with other minority patient populations, it’s critical that first responders understand the unique considerations for treating and performing airway management on patients with developmental disabilities, to provide the most safe and effective level of care possible and continue enhancing healthcare accessibility and services for these patients.