Ambulance: what is an emergency aspirator and when should it be used?

By Cristiano Antonino On Nov 30, 2022

An essential piece of equipment in an ambulance is the aspirator: its primary function is to clear and maintain the patient’s airway

An aspirator facilitates rapid suction of patients in an emergency

Instead of relying on traditional wall suction, an emergency aspirator uses a rechargeable battery.

This allows caregivers to attend to patients wherever they are, without having to delay treatment for transport.

STRETCHERS, LUNG VENTILATORS, EVACUATION CHAIRS: SPENCER PRODUCTS ON THE DOUBLE BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO

An emergency aspirator is an essential part of an ambulance’s toolkit

There are no absolute contraindications to the use of this tool, which can reduce morbidity and mortality in a range of respiratory emergencies.

Despite this, some rescuers are reluctant to aspirate patients who are not in an emergency or obvious crisis situation.

This reluctance can cost patients their lives.

CARDIOPROTECTION AND CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION? VISIT THE EMD112 BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO NOW TO LEARN MORE

Here are some of the most common scenarios in which emergency resuscitation can help save lives

Sudden inability to clear the airway

Numerous conditions, from neurological injuries to respiratory trauma, can make it difficult for a patient to clear their airway.

This increases the risk of aspiration, infection and other serious problems.

When a patient has a hoarse cough, a hoarse voice or says that breathing is difficult and cannot clear the airway, an emergency aspirator can help.

Aspiration pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia is a serious medical emergency that causes the death of at least 5% of people hospitalised for this condition.

It is essential to suction patients who show signs of aspiration, such as continuous vomiting or bleeding from the airways.

Aspirators can also help prevent aspiration in high-risk patients, such as those with dysphagia, spinal cord injury or a recent drowning episode.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING IN RESCUE: VISIT THE SQUICCIARINI RESCUE BOOTH AND FIND OUT HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY

Suspected or confirmed airway obstruction

Aspirators are also the quickest option for clearing an airway obstruction.

Transferring the patient to a hospital room with a wall-mounted suction unit wastes valuable time.

If the patient cannot breathe, he or she may suffer severe brain damage.

An emergency aspirator allows the obstruction to be removed without unnecessary delay.

Ventilated patients

Ventilated patients need frequent suctioning, even when ventilator waveform changes occur or when the ventilator shows changes in pressure or volume.

First responders in long-term care facilities or nursing homes where patients use ventilators can respond more quickly to the needs of these patients if they use aspirators.

Emergency suctioning may even eliminate the need to transport the patient.

This can improve outcomes in ventilated, medically fragile patients for whom transport can be stressful and increase the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens.

Surgical suctioning

Surgical suctioning reduces the risk of aspiration and allows rapid intervention in the unlikely event that the patient aspirates.

Emergency suction units can help a wide range of medical practices, including dental practices and ambulatory surgical centres, to be better prepared with the right suction equipment, and can also enable large hospitals to take care of multiple patients at the same time.