By Sean Hulsman EMS is constantly reaping the benefits of advances in technology. Pulse oximetry, 12-lead ECG, and even video laryngoscopes have found their way onto ambulances and have changed the practice of prehospital medicine. Capnography is another important advance, and a solid understanding of what it reveals about our patients can mean the difference…
-
By Sean Hulsman Our experiences as EMS providers with sick children are too few to build real comfort and providers never want to see kids suffering. Nonetheless we do treat sick kids and for children with respiratory distress it’s easy to be confused by lung sounds, especially wheezes. Read Pediatric Wheezing: It’s Not Always Asthma…
-
Share Your Capno Story With Us Do you have a story about how capnography made a difference? Share your story with us and we may publish it on CapnoAcademy.
-
Tension pneumothorax occurs when air is trapped in the pleural cavity. Treatment may include needle decompression. This article was originally posted Jan. 17, 2011. It has been updated to include additional information and resources as well as a video. Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition that requires rapid recognition and treatment in the prehospital setting.…
-
Kenny Navarro EMS1.com Columnists Waveform capnography is exciting technology that has the potential to become very useful in the prehospital setting Introduction Capnography is a noninvasive method of monitoring carbon dioxide levels in the exhaled breath. The cells of the body produce about 200 milliliters of carbon dioxide (CO2) per minute under normal metabolic circumstances…
-
Once the decision has been made to exchange the SGA for an endotracheal tube, the SGA can be exchanged using several different methods. Article Summary by: Charles Hwang, MD, FAEMS, FACEP Editing by James Li MD, EMS MEd Editor Article reviewed: Braude D, Steuerwald M, Wray T, Galgon R. Managing the Out-of-Hospital Extraglottic Airway Device.…
-
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for progressive, obstructive lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that are characterized by chronically poor airflow. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD, but heredity and exposure to air pollution and particulates are also factors. COPD symptoms include shortness of breath and a…
-
October 3rd, 2018 Clinical Studies In summary, the study provides preliminary data showing that ETco(2) potentially can be used in continuous monitoring of OSA patients. And, (T – W) ETco(2) can indicate the severity of OSA. October 3rd, 2018 Clinical Studies Objective: Waveform capnography use has been incorporated into guidelines for the confirmation of tracheal…
-
by Bob Sullivan Waveform capnography can now be used at all provider levels to better assess patients in respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, and shock. Capnography offers reliable feedback about the severity of a patient’s condition and how they respond to treatment. Here are five things you should know about waveform capnography. 1. Capnography provides breath-to-breath…
-
By far, one of the greatest integrations into the clinical repertoire for both EMT and paramedic providers over the past decade has been capnography. If your patient has breathing problems, then acquiring a capnograph is just as important as acquiring a 12-lead ECG for a chest pain patient. It’s diagnostic and guides the direction of…