According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 7.7 percent of people, including 8.4 percent of children, have asthma. Asthma rates have steadily increased across all age groups since the 1980s. And though most people with asthma lead long and healthy lives, asthma does increase the risk of respiratory emergencies, particularly in people with other health conditions. 

2020 put emergency medical services (EMS) at the forefront of just about everyone’s minds. Neighbors erected banners celebrating emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and doctors, as healthcare workers saw enormous early death tolls in the wake of the pandemic. COVID continues to rip through communities and will figure prominently in the industry through at least the first half of 2021. 

Even minor wounds can be distressing, especially in patients with bleeding disorders or communicable diseases. Major wounds can be life-threatening, necessitating a prompt response that anticipates complications such as bradycardia and shock. Wound management is a cornerstone of good emergency medicine, and so careful planning and frequent preparation should be part of every team’s continuing education. 

Prehospital care is about much more than just stabilizing patients and moving them on to the next step. The decisions you make can have far-reaching implications for a patient’s life and well-being. This is why it’s so important to gather as much information as possible, and to act collaboratively with family members. Include them in the decision-making process as much as you can, and remember that the patient has final say over their treatment. 

Life as a paramedic means intense highs when you save lives and tend to grateful patients, as well as bottomless lows when patients die, suffer, or become combative and angry. You’ll need to be prepared for the sudden adrenaline rush of a patient in need, as well as the slow and methodical approach that intubation, explaining procedures to patients, and gaining the trust of seniors and children all demand. Paramedic jobs consistently top lists of the most stressful professions. Over time, this stress can affect both your physical and mental health.