Clinical Practice Guidelines: Respiratory/Epiglottitis

Clinical Practice Guidelines:
Respiratory/Epiglottitis
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Date
April, 2016
Purpose
To ensure consistent management of patients with Epiglottitis.
Scope
Applies to all QAS clinical staff.
Author
Clinical Quality & Patient Safety Unit, QAS
Review date
April, 2018
URL
https://ambulance.qld.gov.au/clinical.html
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0
International License. To view a copy of this license,
visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
Epiglottitis
April, 2016
Epiglottitis, or supraglottitis, is an inflammation of the lining of the cartilaginous tissue that protects the airway during
swallowing.
Clinical features
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Infection of this structure is predominantly caused by the bacteria
Haemophilus influenzae. It can also be caused by other bacteria or viruses causing respiratory illnesses and non-infection
aetiologies.[1]
•
High fever
• Sore throat/difficulty swallowing
• Stridor/respiratory distress
•
Drooling
•
Hoarse voice
Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. The throat should not be
examined due to the risk of complete airway obstruction.
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Epiglottitis is now very uncommon due to the routine Hib
immunisation given in childhood. It used to be most prevalent in paediatric patients aged 2–6 years, but now is more common in adults due to streptococcus pneumoniae and viral pathogens, or children who are not vaccinated.[1]
Risk assessment
• Any unnecessary disturbance of patient including attempts to lie the patient down,
examination of the throat or insertion of an IV cannula can precipitate total airway
obstruction.[2]
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Figure 2.51
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Additional information
CPG: Paramedic Safety
CPG: Standard Cares
• Endotracheal tube intubation will be extremely
difficult due to intense swelling and
inflammation of the epiglottis.
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• In severe cases, complete airway obstruction
can rapidly develop within 3–6 hours.[2]
• Do not visualise the airway
• Consider alternate causes:
• Allow patient to assume
position of comfort
- Inhaled foreign body
- Croup
- Bacterial tracheitis
• Calm the patient
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• Avoid IV access attempts
unless active resuscitation
required.
Consider:
• Oxygen
Note: Officers are only to perform procedures for which they have received specific training and authorisation by the QAS.
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Transport to hospital
Pre-notify as appropriate
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