Videolaryngoscopy has quickly become a popular method for airway management because it provides better visuals of the glottis. Failed intubations have decreased since more clinicians have begun to rely on videolaryngoscopy and the greater visibility it provides.  Awake videolaryngoscopy is…
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Simulation-based procedural training has been shown to improve procedural competence, safety, operator confidence and most importantly patient safety for every bedside procedure studied.  Now, a new systematic review and meta-analysis confirms that simulation-based training in airway management improves procedural competence…
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A number of additional factors must be considered with airway management in COVID-positive patients. Hospital Procedures Consultants (HPC) can provide simulation-based training to prepare providers for airway management in COVID-positive patients. The first essential consideration is to place the patient into a…
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The Society of Airway Management recently issued guidelines for Difficult Airway Management in COVID-19 patients.  The SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus is extremely contagious via respiratory droplets and therefore extra precautions are needed for airway management in severe COVID-19 infection.  Airway…
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Video laryngoscopy is superior to direct laryngoscopy for emergency intubations in the ICU. A recent meta-analysis based on nine trials evaluated 2,133 ICU patients and concluded that video laryngoscopy (VL) has a higher first pass success rate compared to direct…
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Medical procedural education in the era of COVID19 is still best conducted via HANDS-ON simulation-based procedural training. Procedural skills can NOT be attained via remote education, but in-person training must be conducted safely. There are many topics and skills that can be successfully be taught online,…
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Emergency department (ED) intubation is constantly evolving, with new devices, techniques, and medications being frequently adopted. To evaluate temporal trends, National Emergency Airway Registry (NEAR) investigators analyzed registry data on ED intubations at 13 large hospitals in the U.S., Canada,…
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Video Laryngoscopy Is Superior to Direct Laryngoscopy for Failed Intubation Attempts in the ER Although video laryngoscopy has repeatedly been shown to be superior to direct laryngoscopy, there has not yet been any specific directive instructing emergency department (ED) intubators…
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The Difficult Airway Society (DAS) has recently published new guidelines for awake tracheal intubation (ATI) in adults.  When performed correctly, ATI has a favorable safety profile for patients with an anticipated difficult airway.  The guidelines cover the indications for ATI,…
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Emergency department (ED) intubation is constantly evolving, with new devices, techniques, and medications being frequently adopted. To evaluate temporal trends, National Emergency Airway Registry (NEAR) investigators analyzed registry data on ED intubations at 13 large hospitals in the U.S., Canada,…
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Remember the Laryngeal Mask Airway When You Can’t Intubate! As a hospitalist who also works in the ICU, I am often the first responder to respiratory emergencies.  Frequently under these circumstances, you have a chaotic environment and a less than…
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Investigators have conducted a secondary analysis in order to identify predictors of difficult or prolonged intubation with hypercurved videolaryngoscopes. The analysis was of a randomized control trial of 1100 elective surgery patients. After anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, these patients were…
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In a study conducted at two academic medical centers, records showed that of 71,570 intubations 2,004 used Glidescope for airway management. Success rates and complications were documented in these Glidescope intubations. The overall success rate for Glidescope intubations was 97%.…
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