How best to manage the airways of patients with traumatic injuries

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

Our Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by guest Major Chris Lokits from Louisville Metro EMS (LMEMS) to discuss paramedic intubations in the field. LMEMS is part of the Prehospital Airway Control Trial (PACT), a four-year Department of Defense research study aimed at "improving survival among people who have difficulty breathing after a trauma," through the University of Louisville. A significant number, up to 15%, of people with traumatic injuries die due to a lack of airway management. 

Dr. Raymond Orthober, LMEMS medical director and assistant professor of emergency medicine at UofL, is helping lead the university's participation in the clinical trial. 

Additional EMS1 resources for intubation

• 5 tips to provide safe and effective ventilation
• Airway management: Improving first-pass intubation success (eBook)
• 5 tips for securing a patient's airway
• Improve endotracheal intubation with First and TEN approach
• 5 things to know about endotracheal intubation