Airway

“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



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)