Course Info (Description; Learning Objectives; Practice Gap; Clinical Bottom Line; Summary Conclusions)

Course Description:

This presentation on "Airway Management of the Equipment-Laden Athlete" will cover the latest recommendations from NATA, SISG, and EMS for managing airway, breathing, and circulation in equipment-laden athletes with potential spine injuries. It will emphasize the role of athletic trainers in improving patient outcomes and provide a demonstration of critical decision-making skills for effective airway management, including the removal of protective athletic equipment. The goal is to improve athletic trainers' familiarity with current recommendations and the latest scientific evidence for airway management in the prehospital setting. By identifying the role(s), characteristics, indications, contraindications, and precautions of airway and spine injury management techniques,, athletic trainers can manage the entire scene effectively, improving patient outcomes. The importance of ongoing education and training for athletic trainers and interdisciplinary healthcare teams will also be highlighted.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the current NATA, Spine Injury in Sport Group (SISG), and Emergency Medical Services recommendations regarding airway management in the equipment-laden & spine-injured athlete.
2. Identify and discuss the role of an athletic trainer within the interdisciplinary healthcare team to improve patient outcomes.
3. Examine and discuss the current scientific evidence related to the management of airway, breathing, and circulation in equipment-laden athlete management.
4. Identify the role(s), characteristics, indications, contraindications, and precautions for managing the entire scene by implementing airway and spine injury management techniques and agents in the prehospital setting.
5. Demonstrate the proper sequence and implementation of critical decision-making skills and the current evidence for the effective management of airway, breathing, and circulation in the equipment-laden athlete, including the management and removal of protective athletic equipment.

BOC Domains of Athletic Training:

• Domain I - Risk Reduction, Wellness, and Health Literacy
• Domain II Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
• Domain Ill - Critical Incident Management

Practice Gap:

Despite the critical role of athletic trainers in the interdisciplinary healthcare team for airway management of equipment-laden athletes with potential spine injuries, there is a lack of understanding of the current recommendations, evidence, and best practices for effective airway management. There is a need for ongoing education and training for athletic trainers to improve their familiarity with current recommendations from NATA, SISG, and EMS, as well as the latest scientific evidence related to airway, breathing, and circulation management. Proper sequence and implementation of critical decision-making skills, including the management and removal of protective athletic equipment, are crucial for successful airway management. Identifying the role(s), characteristics, indications, contraindications, and precautions of airway and spine injury management techniques and agents in the prehospital setting is crucial for managing the entire scene effectively. Improving the knowledge and skills of athletic trainers in airway management can significantly improve patient outcomes.

Clinical Bottom Line

Athletic trainers play a crucial role in the interdisciplinary healthcare team for the airway management of equipment-laden athletes with potential spine injuries. To improve patient outcomes, they must be familiar with the current recommendations from NATA, SISG, and EMS, as well as the latest scientific evidence related to airway, breathing, and circulation management. The proper sequence and implementation of critical decision-making skills are essential for effective airway management, including the management and removal of protective athletic equipment. It is imperative to identify the role(s), characteristics, indications, contraindications, and precautions of airway and spine injury management techniques and agents in the prehospital setting to manage the entire scene effectively.

Summary Conclusions:

• Athletic trainers have a critical role in interdisciplinary healthcare teams for airway management of equipment-laden athletes with potential spine injuries.
• Familiarity with current recommendations from NATA, SISG, and EMS, as well as the latest scientific evidence related to airway, breathing, and circulation management, is essential for effective management.
• Proper sequence and implementation of critical decision-making skills are crucial for successful airway management, including the management and removal of protective athletic equipment.
• Identifying the role(s), characteristics, indications, contraindications, and precautions of airway and spine injury management techniques and agents in the prehospital setting is crucial for managing the entire scene effectively.
• Effective airway management can significantly improve patient outcomes, highlighting the importance of ongoing education and training for athletic trainers and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.