Skip to main content

Posts

Best Practices for Training Laypeople in CPR: Empowering Every CPR Bystander to Save Lives

Recent posts

AEDs in Dental Offices: Are You Prepared?

  Sudden cardiac arrest doesn't wait for the right place or time. It can strike anywhere, including dental offices. As more dentists integrate sedation and surgical procedures into their practices, the risk of medical emergencies, including cardiac events, rises. That’s why having an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site is not just a good idea—it’s essential. Why AEDs Belong in Every Dental Office An AED can mean the difference between life and death. When a patient experiences sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), every minute without defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 7% to 10%. Dentists and their staff are often the first—and only—line of defense. Even healthy patients can suffer a cardiac event due to anxiety, allergic reactions, or undiagnosed heart conditions. Sedation dentistry increases this risk. Having an AED on hand prepares your team to respond effectively. Legal and Ethical Responsibility In many states, dental boards recommend or require AEDs for licen...

Essential Skills for Airway Management: A Guide for Healthcare Providers

  What is Airway Management? Airway management is the process of ensuring that a patient has a clear and open airway to breathe properly. It's a critical skill in emergency medicine, anesthesia, critical care, and trauma settings. Without proper airway management, oxygen cannot reach the lungs and brain, which can lead to severe complications or death. Every second counts, and that's why healthcare providers must be skilled, confident, and prepared. Skills of Airway Management Proficient airway management requires a combination of technical and cognitive skills. These include: Airway Assessment : Quickly determining whether a patient can maintain their airway or needs assistance. Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift and Jaw-Thrust Maneuvers : Basic yet essential techniques to open the airway . Use of Airway Adjuncts : Inserting oropharyngeal (OPA) and nasopharyngeal (NPA) airways to keep the airway open. Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) Ventilation : Providing artificial ventilation manually . Supraglottic...