Curious as to how many people feel they received or have adequate knowledge of alternative airway devices. Even after many studies have shown these devices to be effective alternatives to conventional intubation, the AHA seal of approval, and now, a push for increased utilization of these devices in the pre-hospital environment instead of conventional intubation, (Aside from being used frequently in the OR.) it appears many of us may not be up to date with current recommendations and general knowledge of these devices.
I have been in larger ER's where the difficult/failed airway strategy was simply to cric. I have also pulled patients out of hospitals where several unsuccessful attempts at intubation were documented with absolutely no attempt at rescue device utilization. In addition, I have even been in ER's where the nurses would teach new team members the "proper" way to deal with a patient who came into the ER by EMS with a combitube in place. They advocated a technique that involved cutting off both pilot balloons at the same time, thus deflating both cuffs at the same time for rapid removal. You cannot make this stuff up.
-How many of you have some sort of difficult and failed airway plan in place?
-Does it involve alternative/backup/supraglottic devices such as LMA's, combitubes, Kings's, etc?
-Do you feel comfortable using a backup airway?
-Do you feel comfortable assessing a patient with a backup placed?
-Do you feel comfortable managing a patient with a backup airway placed?
-Are your ER physicians familiar with these devices and would they actually consider using them as part of the airway management strategy?
I get the feeling that many people are still in that intubate at any cost mentality?
Possibly sooner than I thought. I am currently home on leave and had an MRI because I have been having back soreness. Unfortunately, the findings were not to my liking.
GilaRRT
1,905 Posts
Possibly sooner than I thought. I am currently home on leave and had an MRI because I have been having back soreness. Unfortunately, the findings were not to my liking.