Prehospital Pediatric Respiratory Distress and Airway Management Training and Education: An NAEMSP Position Statement and Resource Document

Introduction: Some medical emergencies need compromised airway management as the first measure. Most of these cases are first seen by an ENT surgeon, whose proper evaluation and timely intervention can prove decisive. Knowledge of alternatives for airway management can prove life-saving, although these may require the active involvement of other specialities.Case reports: Two patients, a 27-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, presented in respiratory distress with cyanosis. Each had a pedunculated mass in the lower trachea above the carina, with about 90 per cent tracheal lumen obstruction. They were managed successfully with femorofemoral cardiopulmonary bypass and restoration of airway.Conclusion: Femorofemoral cardiopulmonary bypass can be a relatively safe option which gains time for airway management in such conditions. Knowledge of this procedure among ENT surgeons can lead to timely intervention, in properly selected cases, which can save valuable time.

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Knowledge and Proficiency in Skills of Initial Trauma Management among Healthcare Personnel in Secondary Care

Journal of BioMedical Research and Clinical Practice ◽

10.46912/jbrcp3i1.2020142 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 267-271

Author(s):

HY Embu ◽

SI Nuhu ◽

SP Bishmang

Keyword(s):

Airway Management ◽

Respiratory Distress ◽

Trauma Care ◽

Secondary Care ◽

Life Support ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Advanced Trauma Life Support ◽

Trauma Management ◽

Management Skills ◽

North Central

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols aim to provide good trauma care by enhancing the skills of medical personnel all over the world and while this is well established in developed countries it does not appear to be so in developing countries. This study aims to assess the knowledge and proficiency in initial trauma management skills among health caregivers in some general/cottage hospitals in north central Nigeria. Questionnaires were developed to assess the knowledge and skills of care givers in airway management, respiratory distress and shock. The questionnaires were administered on caregivers involved in trauma care in some general/cottage hospitals that offer secondary care in a state in north-central Nigeria. There were 34 health workers who responded, 10 (29.41%) were doctors and 24(70.54%) were nurses. Their years of experience were from 2 to 35 years (median 14years). Ten (29.41%) had at least one training in ATLS in the past while 24(70.59%) had none. In assessing their management skills, 97.06% reported they were able to assess the airway, 88.24% could do chin lift, 73.53% jaw thrust while 91.18% were able to insert oral airway. Thirty-one (91.18%) were able to recognize respiratory distress, 88.24 were able to administer oxygen using facemask and 64.71% using nasal prong. Thirty (88.24%) could assess a patient for shock, 82.35% could splint fractures for haemorrhage control. Twenty-seven (79.41%) reported knowing parameters to monitor during resuscitation. We concluded that knowledge of airway management was high but proficiency and confidence in performing these skills were low.

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