End-tidal carbon dioxide and defibrillation success in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Abstract Purpose. Basing on the relationship between the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the responsiveness of VF to the defibrillation we aimed to assess whether the values of ETCO2 in the minute before defibrillation could predict the effectiveness of the shock. Materials and methods. We retrospectively...
Quiz: Capnography for kids: Unique considerations
EMS1.com ColumnistsTest your knowledge on the challenges of assessing and treating children with capnography By Sean Hulsman Airway control and ventilation in adults differs in many ways from airway control and ventilation in children. Anatomical layout and physiologic responses are not the same when oxygenating and ventilating kids....
The Bougie and First-Pass Success in the Emergency Department
Bougie was associated with increased first-pass intubation success. Bougie use may be helpful in ED intubation.
A delicate balance: Understanding acid-base issues in EMS patients
EMS1.com ColumnistsA basic understanding of how acid-base imbalances can affect the patient's presentation can help make sense of conflicting symptoms By Art Hsieh The human body has tremendous capacity to maintain internal balance, or homeostasis, in serious, prolonged situations. However, there are several situations in which an...
3 scenarios to train for diagnosis, treatment of sepsis
EMS1.com ColumnistsUse simulation education to teach EMS providers to recognize and treat sepsis By Aaron Dix EMS is dispatched to a local residence for a 20-year-old female with foot pain. Medics find the patient sitting in a recliner with her left foot supported by a pillow. She spent the weekend at the beach and cut her foot on...
4 things EMS providers need to know about pulmonary embolism
EMS1.com ColumnistsCareful diagnosis of respiratory and circulatory compromise will help you choose the most appropriate treatment and destination for patients with suspected pulmonary embolism By Bob Sullivan Pulmonary embolism can strike people at any age and any baseline health status. It is the second leading cause of sudden...
5 things to know about endotracheal intubation
Nathan Stanaway Nathan StanawayEMS1.com ColumnistsFrom the 1500s until today, techniques for placing a tube into the trachea have continuously evolved and will continue to improve in the futureIf you’ve ever wondered why the little hole near the tip of an endotracheal tube is called the Murphy Eye, or who Macintosh was, or even who...
How to treat sudden cardiac arrest, opioid overdose
Bob Sullivan Bob SullivanEMS1.com ColumnistsAn unconscious patient, with absent or ineffective breathing, may be in sudden cardiac arrest or have overdosed on an opioid; here's how to assess and treat the patient Death from sudden cardiac arrest and opioid overdose are both major public health problems in the United States....
