EMS1 Sponsored Understand how waveform capnography can be used to assess and treat ventilation, perfusion and metabolic emergencies in children By Bob Sullivan Assessing and caring for pediatric patients can be a challenge for EMS providers. Small children cannot verbalize what is bothering them, and the assessment depends heavily on a physical exam and vital…
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For this segment, we will discuss the measurement of SpO2 and pulse rate, pulse oximetry accuracy standards, and the patient factors that can impact SpO2 and pulse rate accuracy. To help provide insight into this topic is John Gallagher, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, TCRN, RRT, FCCM, Professor, Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case…
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The capnography waveform depicts the concentration of CO2 in the breath and has a generally uniform square-like morphology with consistent frequency. In this video, we look at what normal respiratory rates and waveforms look like for healthy patients. US-PM-2200560 Share Your Capno Story With Us Do you have a story about how capnography made a…
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Researchers theorize that an oscillating waveform may be caused by air movement from chest compression and recoil By Mike McEvoy A 52-year old man collapsed at a fitness center while running on a treadmill. Bystanders initiated CPR and delivered one shock with the facility AED. Your team has been providing ALS care for 12 minutes.…
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Bob Sullivan EMS1 Contributor Understand how monitoring end-tidal carbon dioxide helps assess and treat a patient in respiratory distress Respiratory distress is one of the most common patient complaints. Waveform capnography is a valuable tool to determine the cause and severity of respiratory distress, to guide treatment decisions, and to monitor the patient’s response to…
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Students need to know that capnography is part of the standard of care and is one of the most important diagnostic tools at their disposal By Chris Cebollero Since the introduction of the 12-Lead EKG to EMS in the late 90’s has there been a more important piece of equipment then capnography? Your cardiac monitor…
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Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) have been used since the 1940s and are referred to by a number of different names, such as muscle relaxants or paralytics [1]. While NMBAs can be used during surgery or to improve ventilator synchrony, the most applicable use of NMBAs for prehospital providers is in advanced airway management, with increased…
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally posted here on Bound Tree University. Sepsis, or septic shock, can manifest through a number of infection-driven disease processes — and it can kill. Sepsis alert criteria, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and qSOFA checklists can all aid you in formally identifying sepsis signs and symptoms and direct…
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Every five years, EMS providers and other healthcare providers involved in cardiac arrest resuscitation eagerly await a new version of the American Heart Association CPR and emergency cardiovascular care guidelines. I have been fortunate to see several revisions of the AHA CPR guidelines over my career and clearly recall some big changes including the rise…
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October 3rd, 2018 Clinical Studies The injection of diluted sodium bicarbonate (in mechanically ventilated patients) can be used to reliably identify the correct location of an IV catheter by an increase in the exhaled carbon dioxide concentration. October 3rd, 2018 Clinical Studies ETCO(2) abnormalities and hypoxia occur commonly during sedation in children with developmental disabilities.…