For those working in the hospital setting, you may give your portable suction units little thought. Most hospital workers depend on wall-mounted units, which are plumbed and ready to go. You may go years without needing a portable unit. But when you DO need it, there had better be one available.

As an EMS professional, you know much of your job is spent maintaining your equipment. Trucks must be kept in good working order, supplies must be stocked, and medications must be in-date. Your equipment is of no use if it is not functional, and it's your responsibility to ensure everything is up to snuff.

As good stewards of our EMS equipment, we should all be concerned with the life of our gear. Limited budgets mean we must make our equipment last, and when it comes to your portable suction unit, you can take a few simple steps to extend the aspirator's life. We break down these measures into three phases: before, during, and after the call.

The boy had been struck while darting his bike across the busy intersection. He failed to see the minivan approaching the turn lane. Just as he thought he had made it safely across, the minivan appeared suddenly, striking him and knocking him twenty feet from his bike. The height of the minivan’s bumper was directly in line with the boy’s head. The result? Massive facial trauma resulting in one of the most difficult airways of your career. Fortunately, you had a well-stocked trauma bag, containing everything you’ll need to secure the airway, and the foresight to carry one of your most essential airway tools: your portable suction unit.

There are many portable suction devices on the market today, and you want to be sure to make an informed decision before purchasing. To aid in this process, utilize your sales rep!

Today’s emergency responders have a wealth of technology available to them, enabling them to provide the highest level of service to their patients. Cardiac monitors not only assess heart rhythms and rates, but also gauge a patient’s blood pressure and oxygen saturation; airway adjuncts that can administer 100% oxygen to those suffering from trauma or hypoxia; and an array of medications to treat just about any type of medical emergency.

Have you ever needed to clear a patient’s airway in a location where in-wall suction was not available? If so, you definitely recognize the importance of having a reliable portable suction unit. Not only do you want your unit to be lightweight and deliver appropriate suction, you want to be assured that your rechargeable battery is not going to fizzle out on you at a critical time.

The nightclub was packed when you pulled up front. The bouncers were waving frantically from just beyond the entrance as they stood over an unconscious male who was sprawled on the sidewalk. You and your partner grab the usual equipment: the airway bag, monitor, drug box, and portable suction unit. And it’s a good thing you included the suction. When you approach the patient, he’s unresponsive, frothing at the mouth, and barely moving any air.

Nurses know that efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to managing patient care over the course of a busy 12-hour shift. Scrambling for needed supplies is the last thing you want to do, especially in the case of an emergency. To avoid this, it is necessary to keep important supplies nearby and easy to access at all times.

This post is an excerpt taken from our complementary ebook, The Ultimate Guide to Purchasing a Portable Emergency Suction Device.

In its 2010 publication, Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science, the American Heart Association states: “Both portable and installed suction devices should be available for resuscitation emergencies.” 

Yet, many hospitals still do not stock these lifesaving devices.