Airway Management And Airway Clearance For Nursing And Respiratory Therapists And Paramedics

Abstract

Background: Airway management and clearance are critical skills for healthcare professionals, including nurses, respiratory therapists, and paramedics, to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation in patients. These interventions are vital in diverse settings, from emergency departments to prehospital care, where delays or errors can lead to severe complications.
Aim: This review examines current practices, challenges, and evidence-based strategies in airway management and clearance across nursing, respiratory therapy, and paramedicine. It evaluates skill acquisition, interprofessional collaboration, and the effectiveness of various techniques in different clinical environments.
Methods: A systematic analysis of existing literature was conducted, focusing on airway assessment, basic and advanced techniques (e.g., endotracheal intubation, supraglottic devices), and airway clearance methods (e.g., chest physiotherapy, suctioning). Studies on training effectiveness, simulation-based learning, and interdisciplinary approaches were included.
Results: Findings indicate variability in competency levels among healthcare providers, with paramedics facing challenges in prehospital intubation (first-pass success rates as low as 56%). Nurses demonstrated gaps in airway emergency knowledge, while respiratory therapists excelled in evidence-based airway clearance. Interprofessional training improved outcomes, and supraglottic devices were preferred in prehospital settings for their ease of use.
Conclusion: Effective airway management requires standardized training, simulation-based practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Tailored interventions based on patient needs and care settings enhance outcomes. Future research should address training disparities and compare airway clearance techniques for optimal clinical application.
Background: Airway management and clearance are critical skills for healthcare professionals, including nurses, respiratory therapists, and paramedics, to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation in patients. These interventions are vital in diverse settings, from emergency departments to prehospital care, where delays or errors can lead to severe complications.
Aim: This review examines current practices, challenges, and evidence-based strategies in airway management and clearance across nursing, respiratory therapy, and paramedicine. It evaluates skill acquisition, interprofessional collaboration, and the effectiveness of various techniques in different clinical environments.
Methods: A systematic analysis of existing literature was conducted, focusing on airway assessment, basic and advanced techniques (e.g., endotracheal intubation, supraglottic devices), and airway clearance methods (e.g., chest physiotherapy, suctioning). Studies on training effectiveness, simulation-based learning, and interdisciplinary approaches were included.
Results: Findings indicate variability in competency levels among healthcare providers, with paramedics facing challenges in prehospital intubation (first-pass success rates as low as 56%). Nurses demonstrated gaps in airway emergency knowledge, while respiratory therapists excelled in evidence-based airway clearance. Interprofessional training improved outcomes, and supraglottic devices were preferred in prehospital settings for their ease of use.
Conclusion: Effective airway management requires standardized training, simulation-based practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Tailored interventions based on patient needs and care settings enhance outcomes. Future research should address training disparities and compare airway clearance techniques for optimal clinical application.