JEMS - May 1, 2016 - By Keith Widmeier
One provider holds a tight mask seal, allowing the mainstream EtCO2 to read. The other provider squeezes the bag with a PEEP valve on the exhalation port. Photos courtesy Keith Widmeier
"A difficult airway is one in which the EMS provider identifies potential attributes of the patient that would make it difficult to utilize a bag-valve mask (BVM), insert an extraglottic airway, perform a laryngoscopy, and/or perform surgical airway interventions. It's the ability to appropriately assess the patient's airway that allows providers to predict which will be difficult, optimize their first attempt and ensure the highest likelihood of success when managing a patient's airway. Thorough airway assessments help drive your clinical decision-making and help determine the tools you choose to wield when managing a particular airway...
CONCLUSION
Assessment and planning are crucial in airway management. Providers must use every available tool to optimize their first attempt. The decision not to intubate is often a more difficult and nobler decision then the decision to intubate. Every case is different and providers must utilize good clinical decision making to perform the best airway: The one that oxygenates the patient."