Introductions and Airway Case Review

Course overview

Objectives List hurdles an EMS provider may encounter before arriving on scene that may affect patient care Identify factors that may affect a providers focus or judgment when working in emergency medicine Explain the importance of reassessing patients experiencing an airway emergency Content Summary Steve and Dan review their goals for this new podcast and how you can obtain your CE hours through EMT CE com. After the introductions themselves and their backgrounds in EMS Steve and Dan dive into some exciting case reviews regarding airway management and trauma. Dan discusses mistakes he has made that have made him a better provider and what new or existing providers can do to ensure they provide the best possible care for their patients. Learning Points Unconscious bias can influence important decisions before arriving on scene. Always weigh the pros and cons of each decision carefully. Always conduct your initial scene assessment followed by a primary patient assessment. Hospital distance patient presentation and resource availability all influence whether a provider should stay and play or load and go. Hypotension oxygenation and pH must be managed before intubation or cardiac arrest can occur. Ketamine can be beneficial before intubation to facilitate airway management along with managing combative patients. Auscultate over the stomach and both lungs and then use end tidal to confirm tube placement. Hypercarbia can be managed by increasing ventilations while hypocarbia can be managed by decreasing ventilation. Tunnel vision can cause problems in appropriately managing a patient remember to look at the overall patient presentation. Do what is best for your patient not your ego. Always do a thorough primary and secondary trauma assessment to ensure critical issues are not overlooked. Recognizing and learning from mistakes is one of the most important things a medical provider can do throughout their medical career.