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“Airway” does not necessarily mean “Intubation”
Introduction
- In emergency medicine we are taught “A-B-Cs”
- These are actions that can be accomplished in first 60 seconds of patient encounter
- Intubation takes several minutes to accomplish
- Intubating a crashing patient might even KILL them!
- Resuscitate THEN intubate
- These are actions that can be accomplished in first 60 seconds of patient encounter
Step 1: Suction
- Immediately suction if patient is…
- Altered and vomiting
- Gurgling
Step 2: Move the Tongue
- Bedside maneuvers
- Head tilt
- Chin lift
- Jaw thrust
- Adjunct equipment
- Oropharyngeal airway
- Nasopharyngeal airway
Additional Reading
- Airway Part 2 – BVM Adjuncts (EM Clerkship)
- Airway Part 3 – Rapid Sequence Intubation (EM Clerkship)
- Airway Part 4 – What to Do If Intubation Fails (EM Clerkship)
- Laryngoscope As A Murder Weapon – Hemodynamic Kills (EMCrit)
Hi Dr. Olson,
Just wanted to stop by and say thanks! This podcast is great. I’ve recommended it to several of my classmates that are interested in EM. My home EM sub-i is in 2 months, so this is perfect timing to make sure I’m ready to make a great impression.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words. Good luck on your rotation. I’ll work hard to get some more core presentations out in the next few months. I just need to tweak the upcoming episodes a bit more. Is there a specific topic you would like me to do? Shoot me an email if you have any more feedback or questions about EM.
Hi Doc Z
Good job!!!!!!
I learned a lot.
Thanks