Mastery of airway management skills is critical for all provider levels, and yet QA/CQI reviews reveal that many providers struggle to be confident and competent managing the airway issues of both stable and critical patients. Over the years, significant changes in both expectations and treatment modalities have left EMTS confused, and often medic dependent when dealing with airway compromise.
In this session we will review the entire tool kit available to EMS field providers, and the airway continuum, ensuring that attendees know how to rapidly assess what the patient needs, and what needs to be done within their scope of practice prior to arrival of ALS.
We will use case studies requiring critical thinking and examine the nuances of each situation to determine what the best tools in the toolbox are for specific patients and common respiratory complaints that EMTs will encounter.
Objectives:
1. Review airway adjuncts and delivery devices used in prehospital care and their appropriate use.
2. Discuss airway management techniques from positioning to endotracheal intubation, including use of supraglottic airways, where they fit on the airway continuum, and what is expected within the EMT scope of practice prior to ALS arrival, as well as how to assist ALS.
3. Using case studies, attendees will learn how to rapidly assess signs, symptoms, vital signs and patient history to confidently and competently provide aggressive and appropriate treatment for patients in respiratory distress and failure.
4. Consider red flags and subtle changes often missed ,resulting in a patient that “suddenly “crashes.
BLS Core: Airway 1.0 Hr