2 2 • O U T P A 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 2 0
T
here's
arguably no
more dan-
gerous task
in surgery
during the coronavirus
pandemic than intubat-
ing patients. Anesthesia
professionals work inch-
es from the airway, in
the direct path of
aerosolized virus parti-
cles, as they attempt to
insert a laryngoscope
blade while decked out in gloves, gowns, N95 masks and face shields.
"COVID-19 has complicated airway management," says Michael
Aziz, MD, a professor of anesthesiology and medicine at Oregon
Health & Science University in Portland. "Providers must protect
themselves with several layers of PPE, which makes the job more
physically demanding. Communication is hampered and visualization
is more difficult."
The coronavirus outbreak serves as a reset for anesthesia, according
to Roxanne McMurray, DNP, APRN, CRNA, a clinical assistant profes-
sor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. "Providers must
be more vigilant when securing the airway," she says. "The current
challenges will force us to up our game, and that's a good thing."
Dan Cook | Editor-in-Chief
New Thinking in Airway Management
The coronavirus outbreak could change
how providers approach difficult intubations.
SAFE DISTANCE Video laryngoscopes let anesthesia providers intubate patients
without standing directly over the airway.
