What is hypoxia?​

• When the body is deprived of oxygen at the tissue level​

What are some examples of causes?:​

• Impaired ventilation (Opioid overdose)​
• Obstructed ventilation (Anaphylaxis)​
• Medical conditions (Asthma, COPD, Pneumonia)​
• Cellular-Level Hypoxia (Carbon Monoxide Poisoning)

What to know about it:​

• When tissues don’t receive adequate oxygen over prolonged periods, this can result in organ failure and lead to cardiac arrest ​
• Management focuses on airway patency, oxygenation, ventilation, and perfusion ​

Pre-Hospital Treatment of Hypoxia:

When Should You Leave Early?​

• Hypoxia can be treated effectively in the pre-hospital setting! In most cases, you should treat as appropriate on scene. ​
• Leave early when:​
  • The airway cannot be secured (e.g. FBAO, severe facial swelling or burns, etc.)​
  • You are unable to adequately manage the airway and ventilation on scene

In Summary​

• Hypoxia can lead to death due to inadequate oxygenation of tissues in the body​
• For the most part, hypoxia can often be effectively treated and managed in the pre-hospital setting​
• Consider very early transport when airway management is ineffective or unable to be established

No additional resources available for this #SWORBHPTip.