Meramec Ambulance District is proud to share an exciting advancement in the level of care we’re bringing to our community.

Meramec Ambulance District is proud to share an exciting advancement in the level of care we’re bringing to our community.

Our paramedics will be undergoing advanced training to expand their skill sets and capabilities, with the implementation of RSI planned for June 1. Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI) is a critical airway procedure that allows paramedics to quickly and safely secure a patient’s airway in life-threatening situations, helping ensure our patients receive the best possible care when it matters most.

Using a combination of medications, paramedics are able to quickly place an advanced airway while minimizing discomfort and complications for the patient. This is especially important in emergencies where a patient is unable to maintain their own airway, such as severe trauma, respiratory failure, or altered mental status.

By implementing RSI, our crews are able to provide a higher level of care in the field, ensuring patients receive definitive airway management sooner - before reaching the hospital - when every second counts.

As part of this update and continued program development, our crews will also be introducing an additional capability - finger thoracostomies. Training has not yet begun but is planned for our paramedics to learn this skill in the near future, with rollout to follow at a later date.

With the reality of longer transport times in parts of our district, these advancements will make a critical difference. By bringing more advanced care directly to the patient, we’ll be able to improve outcomes in time-sensitive emergencies such as traumatic injuries and cardiac arrest.

This is another step forward in our commitment to delivering high-quality, progressive prehospital care. Our ambulances are continuing to evolve into rolling emergency rooms, and our crews are actively training, adapting, and growing to better serve those who depend on us.

We are incredibly proud of our paramedics for their dedication to continued education and excellence in patient care. As medicine evolves, so do we. Every step forward is focused on providing the best possible care when it matters most.