We've all been taught that the last thing you want to do to a sick child in respiratory distress is upset them by sticking an oxygen mask to their face. For many of us, "blow by" oxygen is our go-to in these situations.  But is it actually the right choice?  In this episode we'll take a closer look at the practice and the evidence. (Spoiler alert: it doesn't work).

References:

Barends, C. R. M., Yavuz, P., Molenbuur, B., & Absalom, A. R. (2018). Performance of blow-by methods in delivering oxygen to pediatric patients during transport: A laboratory study. Pediatric Anesthesia, 28(12), 1142-1147. https://doi.org/10.1111/pan.13515 

Blake, D. F., Shih, E. M., Mateos, P., & Brown, L. H. (2014). The efficacy of oxygen wafting using different delivery devices, flow rates and device positioning. Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal, 17(3), 119-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aenj.2014.05.002 

Davies, P., Cheng, D., Fox, A., & Lee, L. (2002). The efficacy of noncontact oxygen delivery methods. Pediatrics, 110(5), 964-967. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.110.5.964 

Harris, M., Lyng, J. W., Mandt, M., Moore, B., Gross, T., Gausche-Hill, M., & Donofrio-Odmann, J. J. (2022). Prehospital Pediatric Respiratory Distress and Airway Management Interventions: An NAEMSP Position Statement and Resource Document. Prehospital Emergency Care, 26(sup1), 118-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2021.1994675 

Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal are life-threatening conditions that are often under-appreciated by EMS providers.  In this episode, we discuss what makes these conditions so dangerous and how to improve your detection and care of these patients.  There's even an obscure music lyrics reference hidden inside.  Enjoy!

Audio of Sepsis Detective EMS CE presented via Zoom on June 15, 2023.