EMS Skills - Pharyngeal Suctioning (Flexible Tip)

WCTCFire&EMS

30 Jul 201301:44

Summary

TLDRThis script instructs EMTs on airway management for unresponsive patients with obstructions like vomit or blood. It emphasizes using a powered suction device with proper body-substance isolation. The process involves measuring the suction catheter, attaching it, testing the suction, and carefully inserting it into the oropharynx. The catheter is moved around for 15 seconds to clear the airway, then removed with suction still applied. The script also advises checking for air exchange, possibly repeating the process, and flushing the system between attempts.

Takeaways

🩺 Difficulty in maintaining a clear airway in unresponsive patients can be due to vomitus, blood, and secretions.
🔌 Powered suction devices are recommended for clearing an incapacitated patient's airway.
🧼 Adherence to body-substance isolation is crucial when suctioning a patient.
📏 Correct measurement of the suction catheter is necessary for proper insertion.
🔗 Attach the catheter to the suction device before measuring it for insertion.
👂 Measure the catheter from the earlobe to the corner of the mouth to find the correct insertion length.
🔑 Turn on the suction device and test it to ensure it's functioning properly.
👄 Use a cross-finger technique or a tongue depressor to open the patient's mouth.
💨 Apply suction at the catheter tip and move it around the oropharynx for up to 15 seconds.
🔄 It may be necessary to suction multiple times to clear the airway adequately.
💧 Flush the system with water between suctioning attempts to maintain effective suction.
⚠️ Be aware of large particles that could obstruct the suction catheter.

Q & A

Why is it challenging to maintain a clear airway for an unresponsive patient with vomitus or blood?
-Vomitus, blood, and other secretions can obstruct the airway, making it difficult for an unresponsive patient to breathe, thus requiring intervention to clear the airway.
What is the recommended tool for an EMT to clear an airway in such situations?
-A powered suction device is the best option for an EMT to clear an airway when a patient is unresponsive or incapacitated.
Why is it important to wear appropriate body-substance isolation when suctioning a patient?
-Wearing appropriate body-substance isolation is crucial to protect both the EMT and the patient from the transmission of infections and to maintain hygiene during the suctioning process.
How should the EMT measure the flexible tip suction catheter for correct insertion depth?
-The EMT should measure the catheter from the tip of the patient's earlobe to the corner of the mouth to determine the correct insertion length.
What is the purpose of attaching the catheter to the suction device before use?
-Attaching the catheter to the suction device allows the EMT to control the suction and ensures that the device is functioning correctly before proceeding with the airway clearance.
How can the EMT ensure that there is no suction at the tip before inserting the catheter?
-The EMT should turn the unit on and test the device to ensure suction is present but ensure that the suction is not active at the tip before insertion to prevent injury to the patient's tissues.
What technique can be used to open the patient's mouth during suctioning?
-A cross-finger technique, a tongue depressor, or other similar devices can be used to open the patient's mouth for suctioning.
How long should the EMT apply suction at the tip of the catheter once it is inserted?
-The EMT should apply suction at the tip of the catheter and move it around the oropharynx for a maximum of 15 seconds to clear the airway.
What should the EMT do after suctioning to ensure the patient's airway is clear?
-After suctioning, the EMT should keep suction applied while removing the catheter and then check for adequate air exchange to ensure the airway is clear.
Why might it be necessary to suction multiple times during the procedure?
-It may be necessary to suction multiple times if the airway is heavily obstructed or if the initial suctioning does not result in adequate air exchange.
What should the EMT do if the suction catheter becomes obstructed by large particles?
-If the suction catheter becomes obstructed by large particles like food, the EMT should flush the system with water between suctioning attempts to ensure adequate suction at the tip.

Outlines

00:00

🩺 Airway Suctioning for Unresponsive Patients

This paragraph discusses the importance of maintaining a clear airway for unresponsive or incapacitated patients when secretions like vomitus or blood obstruct it. The recommended method is using a powered suction device while adhering to body-substance isolation protocols. The process involves measuring the flexible tip suction catheter from the earlobe to the corner of the mouth to determine the correct insertion length. The device is tested for suction, and the catheter is inserted into the oropharynx without suction, then suction is applied for a maximum of 15 seconds. The catheter is removed with suction still applied, and the airway is checked for adequate air exchange. Multiple suctions may be necessary, and the system should be flushed with water between attempts. Caution is advised for large particles that could obstruct the catheter.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Vomitus

Vomitus refers to the substance that is expelled from the stomach through the mouth due to vomiting. In the context of the video, vomitus can obstruct a patient's airway, making it difficult for them to breathe. The script mentions that EMTs should use a powered suction device to clear the airway of such obstructions, emphasizing the importance of managing vomitus in emergency medical situations.

💡Blood

Blood is a vital fluid in the circulatory system that plays a critical role in transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. In the script, blood is mentioned as a substance that can interfere with a patient's airway, similar to vomitus. The presence of blood necessitates the use of a suction device to maintain a clear airway, highlighting the potential for blood to complicate emergency medical scenarios.

💡Secretions

Secretions are natural bodily fluids produced by various glands in the body, such as saliva or mucus. In the context of the video, secretions can accumulate in the airway and impede breathing, particularly in unresponsive patients. The script advises using a suction device to clear these secretions, illustrating the need to manage secretions in maintaining a clear airway.

💡Unresponsive

Unresponsive refers to a state where a patient does not respond to stimuli, which can be due to various medical conditions like unconsciousness or severe injury. The video script discusses the challenges faced by EMTs in managing an unresponsive patient's airway, as they cannot clear their own airway, necessitating intervention with a suction device.

💡EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)

EMT stands for Emergency Medical Technician, a healthcare professional trained to provide pre-hospital emergency medical services. In the script, EMTs are the primary actors responsible for managing a patient's airway using suction devices. Their role is crucial in ensuring the patient's safety and well-being during emergencies.

💡Powered Suction Device

A powered suction device is a medical equipment used to remove fluids or other obstructions from a patient's airway. The script emphasizes its use by EMTs to clear the airway of vomitus, blood, and secretions. This device is essential for maintaining a clear, patent airway in emergency situations.

💡Body-Substance Isolation

Body-substance isolation is a set of precautions taken to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases during medical procedures. The script advises EMTs to wear appropriate body-substance isolation when suctioning a patient, highlighting the importance of infection control in emergency medical care.

💡Flexible Tip Suction Catheter

A flexible tip suction catheter is a long, thin tube with a flexible tip used to suction fluids from the airway. The script describes the process of attaching it to a suction device and measuring it against the patient to ensure proper insertion depth, which is critical for effectively clearing the airway without causing harm.

💡Oropharynx

The oropharynx is the part of the throat that connects the mouth to the rest of the pharynx, where the airway and digestive tract meet. In the script, the oropharynx is the area where the suction catheter is inserted to clear the airway. Understanding the anatomy of the oropharynx is essential for EMTs to perform suctioning safely and effectively.

💡Cross-Finger Technique

The cross-finger technique is a method used to open a patient's mouth by placing fingers on the corners of the mouth and gently pulling apart. The script mentions this technique as an alternative to using a tongue depressor or similar device to access the oropharynx for suctioning, demonstrating various approaches EMTs can use in different situations.

💡Adequate Air Exchange

Adequate air exchange refers to the proper movement of air in and out of the lungs, which is essential for respiration. The script emphasizes checking for adequate air exchange after suctioning to ensure that the patient's airway has been successfully cleared and that they can breathe effectively.

Highlights

Vomitus and blood can obstruct a patient's airway.

Powered suction devices are recommended for clearing airways in unresponsive patients.

Wearing appropriate body-substance isolation is essential during suctioning.

Measuring the suction catheter is necessary for correct insertion depth.

Attach the catheter to the suction device before use.

Measure the catheter from the earlobe to the corner of the mouth for insertion.

Turn on the suction device and test for proper function.

Use a cross-finger technique to open the patient's mouth.

Ensure no suction at the tip before inserting the catheter.

Apply suction and move the catheter around the oropharynx for up to 15 seconds.

Keep suction applied while removing the catheter.

Check for adequate air exchange after suctioning.

Multiple suction attempts may be necessary.

Flush the system with water between attempts to maintain suction effectiveness.

Be aware of large particles that may obstruct the suction catheter.