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. 

Geriatric patients are more likely to experience respiratory emergencies such as pneumonia, aspiration, and severe respiratory infections. A range of physiological changes, including muscle atrophy, can make airway assessment and management more difficult. 

The stats speak for themselves. Respiratory distress is what sends 10% of children to emergency departments. Additionally, one in seven seniors has a lung disease. Between 1980-2014, more than 4.6 million American adults died from chronic respiratory diseases. 

Most patients know only about continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. But in emergency medicine, CPAP has many uses, particularly for neonates with respiratory distress. 

Each new year comes with a new set of challenges for EMS teams, but some ongoing issues medical professionals faced in 2021 also serve as strong indicators for what’s to come in 2022. 

2021 was another unique year for medical professionals, as the pandemic stretched into another year, reminding us how important it is to keep up with changing health and safety information. 

That message resonates with SSCOR, because the products we produce often directly impact patient health and well-being. It’s also a big reason we like to keep our customers and friends in the emergency medicine sector informed through our blog.

As we look to 2022, these were the most-read blogs from the past year. 

Respiratory failure and respiratory distress are both medical emergencies that demand prompt treatment. Both present special dangers to vulnerable groups such as children, elders, and people with chronic illnesses. Respiratory distress, for example, affects about 1 percent of newborns, and is the leading cause of death in neonates born prematurely.