ALS clinicians,
Attached is the newest IGEL jurisdictional policy revision to accommodate the state’s requirements to carry size 1 IGELS.
The IGEL remains the primary ALS airway adjunct of choice for pediatric patients.
A BLS airway is still preferred for patients weighing less than 5 kg. For this population of tiny humans, please focus on all the BLS techniques that ensure appropriate oxygenation and ventilation – the right sized BVM and BVM mask, the appropriate face mask seal, the correct ventilation rate and volume, positioning (padding underneath shoulders in the non-traumatic arrest), etc. It is highly recommended that you take the time to review these appropriate techniques with your crews frequently. IF good BLS technique does not ensure adequate ventilation/oxygenation, your first line ALS airway will be the IGEL unless there are contraindications present.
You will also notice the inverted triangle added at the end of this policy to emphasize the priority of treatments during an arrest.
Until we can add the IGEL under procedures in emeds, continue to select “Airway- Laryngeal Mask/Supraglottic” procedure in your emeds documentation.
Reminder that this is jurisdictional direction, so you will not have this available in any “app” forms. Please replace the previous version of the IGEL policy with this one in any of the places you have kept it for reference.
Please make sure, if you haven’t already, that size 1 IGELs are on your units.
Any questions, please let me know!
Melanie Higgins, BS, NRP Captain – EMS Quality Assurance Division of Emergency Services 16232 Elliott Parkway Williamsport, MD 21795 (cell) 301-491-2454 (office) 240-313-4376 (fax) 240-313-4375
Attached is the newest IGEL jurisdictional policy revision to accommodate the state’s requirements to carry size 1 IGELS.
The IGEL remains the primary ALS airway adjunct of choice for pediatric patients.
A BLS airway is still preferred for patients weighing less than 5 kg. For this population of tiny humans, please focus on all the BLS techniques that ensure appropriate oxygenation and ventilation – the right sized BVM and BVM mask, the appropriate face mask seal, the correct ventilation rate and volume, positioning (padding underneath shoulders in the non-traumatic arrest), etc. It is highly recommended that you take the time to review these appropriate techniques with your crews frequently. IF good BLS technique does not ensure adequate ventilation/oxygenation, your first line ALS airway will be the IGEL unless there are contraindications present.
You will also notice the inverted triangle added at the end of this policy to emphasize the priority of treatments during an arrest.
Until we can add the IGEL under procedures in emeds, continue to select “Airway- Laryngeal Mask/Supraglottic” procedure in your emeds documentation.
Reminder that this is jurisdictional direction, so you will not have this available in any “app” forms. Please replace the previous version of the IGEL policy with this one in any of the places you have kept it for reference.
Please make sure, if you haven’t already, that size 1 IGELs are on your units.
Any questions, please let me know!
Melanie Higgins, BS, NRP Captain – EMS Quality Assurance Division of Emergency Services 16232 Elliott Parkway Williamsport, MD 21795 (cell) 301-491-2454 (office) 240-313-4376 (fax) 240-313-4375
Revised-IGEL-signed-policy-August-2023.pdf