Life of a patient in the medical field.

The procedure that a patient undergoes before reaching the hospital may be the only reason they find another chance to survive. Hospitals emergency department are on the look and responds quickly to that 9-1-1 call despite the distance. To increase the effectiveness of the office, flight response team was introduced to improve the chance of survival. Despite the effort, some patients never make it to the hospital even after performing the preliminary intubation processes. The question is, why? This paper outlines some of the reasons behind the failures and success of prehospital intubation process, the role of paramedics in the process, trends in practice and best practices as far as paramedics study is concerned.
In all cases, the paramedics perform all the prehospital intubation procedure. In a study by (Eckstein 1), it is evident that some medics are not fully aware of the processes and end up messing with the procedure. Questions are raised on whether paramedics should be allowed to perform the methods alone. Myers and friends in their research identified that rescue team with more than one paramedic is most likely to succeed (Myers et al. 1). This gives one the opportunity to guide the other through the process and even correct where they might go wrong.
Endotracheal intubation (ETI) has been the most used process over the most significant period. There is, however, need for change considering the changing technological advancements. Bledsoe insists that the process will soon be extinct (Bledsoe 1). Among the reason behind this revelation is the fact that it is difficult to teach students the use of airways accurately. This can be said to be due lack of practice and the instrument of study. Most paramedics go to the medical field without having the chance of practicing simple procedures like air ventilation on a living being. Thus, performing the theories in real becomes a challenge. Experts in the medical field have approved that other methods like video laryngoscopes are more efficient than the traditional ETI (Eckstein, 1).
According to a study on the cause of death during an ETI procedure, poor ventilation causes demise in just a matter of time (Eckstein, 1). The wrong position of the tube is only another cause but not as bad as the former. To prevent sudden death of patients, capnography is employed in most emergency medical services (EMS) today. Capnography enables the paramedics to monitor and verify if the endotracheal tube to place it well. This further, controls the airway giving the paramedic opportunity to breath for the patient. Capnography also prevents oxygen in the patient’s body from mixing with carbon dioxide giving the emergency team just enough time to safely deliver the patient to the hospital for further observation and treatment. Since capnography involves breath-to-breathe exchange, it is enough to give the paramedic a warning if something is about to go wrong which then triggers immediate response (Anne & Perry 940).Medical professors realized three main factors that determine the success of intubation. First, using smaller tubes in the process leads to high chances of survival (Myers et al. 1). The use of tubes is, however, dependent on the size of the patient. Heavy patients are administered with bigger tubes. Secondly, an emergency medical team (EMT) with more than one paramedic is more favorable. The partner should be more skilled to offer guidance to the one performing intubation.
Another success determinant is the ability to see the glottis. Research shows that intubations performed when part or the entire glottis is visible are more likely to succeed. The paramedic should ensure that they can locate and glance at the organ for effectiveness. Lastly and most probably the most critical determinant is to have backup tools. Wherever an EMT is on the move, always ensure they carry backup airways along and that they are functional. The most prominent mistake that a paramedic can ever do is to bring fixed and faulty tools (Myers et al. 1). You never know what may happen in the field. It is important to note that new devices are in the market such as video laryngoscopy which may help if the standard procedures do not improve.
With the new devices introduced to the medical industry, there is fear that paramedics’ studies will not be useful soon. The fact that the improved airway adjuncts are fast and require less personnel to handle is a threat to the science. King tubes, combi tubes, and MLA have shown nothing but success since their introduction (Boehringer et al. 1). He adds that the fact that by improving the practice; there are still loopholes especially on performing the procedures on living human beings as part of practice sessions. The most significant threat is that the new technology is taking over. For instance, the flight crew today uses only video laryngoscopes.
Which this uncertain turn of events, the paramedic’s only option should be to increase high their standards to meet the people’s expectations. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is near. Most people now know first aid assistance of patients who suffer from lung-related complications. To preserve this profession, the medical practitioners should come up with new standards that all paramedics are to follow. One measure that can be helpful is, making this procedure a mandatory process for all students. More practical lessons should be encouraged, and a student who has not done a specific number of ETI should not be allowed to do so without guidance. Life of a patient is the priority in the medical field. Whatever is done should promise a positive response. By doing these, endotracheal intubation will not be lost but instead will be improved.
Works cited
Anne P. and Perry A. (2015). Essentials for nursing practice. St Louis. Elsevier. Print.
Bledsoe B. (2009). Intubation threatened by new devices and lack of paramedic practice. Journal of emergency medical services. web.
Boehringer B., Choate M., Hurwitz S., TinleyP. And Judge T. (2015). Impact of Video Laryngoscopy on Advanced Airway Management by Critical Care Transport Paramedics and Nurses Using the CMAC Pocket Monitor. Web.
Eckstein M. (2010). Expert debate paramedic intubation. Should paramedics continue to intubate. Journal of emergency medical services. Web.
Myers L.A., Gallet C.G., Kolb L.J., Lohse C.M. and Russi C.S (2016). Determinants of success and failure in prehospital endotracheal intubation. Western journal of emergency medicine. Web.

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