Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Airway Management

Airway management in healthcare refers to the techniques and procedures used to maintain a patient’s airway and ensure that they are able to breathe effectively. This is an important aspect of patient care and can be especially critical in emergency situations, as a blocked or compromised airway can be life-threatening. There are several different techniques and procedures that healthcare professionals may use to manage a patient’s airway, including: Clearing the airway of secretions or foreign objects using suction or other methods, Administering oxygen or other respiratory support using a mask or breathing tube, Performing tracheal intubation, which involves inserting a tube into the patient’s trachea to assist with breathing, Performing cricothyrotomy, which involves creating an opening in the patient’s neck to access the trachea in cases where intubation is not possible, and Using bag-valve-mask ventilation which involves manually ventilating the patient’s lungs using a bag and mask. Healthcare professionals who are trained in airway management may include paramedics, nurses, and doctors. They typically undergo specialized training in airway management techniques and must be able to quickly assess and respond to changes in a patient’s respiratory status.