Prehospital Care Manual online - Contra Costa Health Services

IV / IO ACCESS
ADVANCED AIRWAY
TREATMENT
ON SCENE
• IO access is preferred unless no suitable site is available
• If IV used (no IO access), antecubital vein is preferred
• Hand veins and other smaller veins should not be used in cardiac arrest
• Placement of advanced airway is not a priority during the first 5 minutes of
resuscitation unless no ventilation is occurring with basic maneuvers
o Exception: If ResQPOD used, early use of King Airway is appropriate
• Placement of King Airway or endotracheal tube should not interrupt
compressions for more than 10 seconds
• For endotracheal intubation, position and visualize airway prior to cessation
of CPR for tube passage. Immediately resume compressions after tube
passage.
• Confirm tube placement and provide on-going monitoring using end-tidal
carbon dioxide monitoring
• Movement of a patient may interrupt CPR or prevent adequate depth and
rate of compressions, which may be detrimental to patient outcome
• Provide resuscitative efforts on scene up to 30 minutes to maximize chances
of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)
• If resuscitation does not attain ROSC, consider cessation of efforts per policy