In preparation for airway simulation lab, we read: Reed MJ, Dunn MJG, McKeown DW. 2005. Can an airway assessment score predict difficulty at intubation in the emergency department? Emerg Med J. 22(2):99-102. Take home points: LEMON criteria: (L- Look externally for characteristics known to cause difficulty; E- Evaluate the 3-3-2 rule; M- Mallampati; O- Obstruction; …
Tag: Airway
Jul 02
52 in 52: Preoxygenation
Today we read and discussed a landmark article on preoxygenation: Weingart SD, Levitan RM. 2012. Preoxygenation and prevention of desaturation during emergency airway management. Ann Emerg Med. 59(3):165-75.e1. Take home points: Preoxygenation increases length of time for “safe apnea” (SpO2 >88-90%) Positioning is important- use 20-degree head-up or reverse Trendelenberg during preoxygenation; position patient’s head …
Jun 19
Master the BVM
Why is it important to be proficient with the BVM? Because inevitably we will all have patients that are difficult to intubate, but if we can ventilate these patients with the BVM we can buy ourselves time to use our alternative techniques. If you can’t ventilate effectively with the BVM you find yourself in a …
Jun 09
Know your RSI!
[notice textalign=”center”]AIRWAY[/notice] As some of the more junior residents realize this time of year… fumbling your way through an intubation looks bad all around. Help yourself by really becoming comfortable with induction and paralytic agents. A difficult airway is, after all, owned by the ED. I wouldn’t want anyone else, even Anesthesia, intubating when there …