tic airways, flexible fiber-optic
intubation equipment, equip-
ment for emergency invasive air-
way access and an exhaled car-
bon dioxide detector.
Check airway carts routinely to
ensure the devices and equip-
ment are current and in good
working order. Every member of
your clinical team should take a
turn reviewing the cart's con-
tents. If nurses are the only ones
routinely reviewing the items,
your anesthesia providers might
find themselves unsure of where
they can access supraglottic air-
ways or emergency intubation
equipment when a crisis occurs
and every second counts.
4. Have you considered new technologies?
There are several technologies available that can help rescue an air-
way or serve as a primary airway if you suspect a patient will be a dif-
ficult intubation.
• Video laryngoscopes have revolutionized airway management.
This technology makes it easier for the provider to visualize the vocal
cords and related airway structures without a direct line of sight. The
devices help eliminate difficult airways as a result of traditional chal-
lenges, such as patients with large incisors that hamper views of the
glottis.
1 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 8
• READ AND REACT Annual drills prepare providers to respond
quickly and effectively at the first sign of airway trouble.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
