Videos

A swallowed ‘timely’ emergency

EMK Foundation

A swallowed watch (button) battery can cause fatal perforation with mediastinitis if lodged in the oesophagus. The need to removed urgently under general anaesthesia makes this a ‘timely’ emergency.

Hands-Only CPR

EMK Foundation

If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, hands-only CPR is the recommended form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It not only increases the likelihood of surviving breathing and cardiac emergencies that occur outside of medical settings, but it’s simple to learn and easy to remember. For a refresher any time, you can print up this page and keep it with the rest of your first-aid supplies.

Machakos County: A Model for Emergency Care in the Counties

EMK Foundation
Machakos County is currently leading in the adoption of the Kenya Emergency Medical Care Policy 2020-2030 developed by the Ministry of Health. Based on the WHO Emergency Care Systems Framework, the Machakos County Emergency Medical Care System is proof that we can have a functioning emergency care system across the different Counties and across the Country.

Anatomy of the ET Tube

EMK Foundation

⏺ 15 mm connector – standardized on all airway equipment to avoid a situation where somebody had to look for the right adaptor

⏺ Pilot balloon – contains a spring-loaded one way valve to inflate the balloon.

⏺ One way valve – prevents the air from leaking out when the syringe is disconnected

⏺ Inflatable cuff – has 2 purposes: seals the trachea so that 1) positive pressure can’t escape from lower airways, and 2) seals the trachea so patient doesn’t aspirate any secretions or stomach contents coming from upper airway

⏺ Magill Curve – a natural curvature of approximately 140mm radius, +/- 20mm

⏺ Black line – suggested vocal cords marker

⏺ Size of the ETT – is the internal diameter of the tube

⏺ Depth markings – allow us to measure the depth of the ETT at the teeth or lips (typically 3x size of ETT)

⏺ Radio-opaque line (white here, but I’ve also seen blue!) – helps with the identification of the ETT on X-ray

⏺ Murphy’s Eye – an opening on the right side that allows for ventilation, if the primary opening gets occluded.

Dr Mercy Mwangangi opens African Emergency Medicine Conference in Nairobi, Kenya

EMK Foundation
“On behalf of the Government of Kenya and the Ministry of Health, I would like to welcome you all to the 5th African Conference on Emergency Medicine being streamed live from Nairobi, Kenya.” Dr Mercy Mwangangi, Cabinet Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Health Kenya

COVID-19 Preparedness

EMK Foundation
Quality Emergency and Critical Care services are crucial to saving lives in the current COVID-19 pandemic here in Kenya. Strengthening these services across the country will not only save us now but even when the pandemic is over because, emergencies always happen, regardless of whether we are prepared or not.