Anesthesiologists should not start with the consideration of how to handle difficult intubation, but rather the other variables that affect outcome of patients presenting with impaired cardiopulmonary function, according to a report published in the Dec. 2010 issue of Anesthesiology.
According to the report, a time domain should be included in the clinical decision-making process of emergency airway management. Before intubation, the physician should focus on using the best possible evidence as to whether a tracheal intubation is indicated.
An equipment check should also be mandatory for unexpected intubation, and after tracheal intubation, the focus of the provider should be on maintaining pulmonary stability without harming the patient by inadequate sedation.
Read the report in Anesthesiology on difficult intubation (pdf).
Read more on anesthesia:
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According to the report, a time domain should be included in the clinical decision-making process of emergency airway management. Before intubation, the physician should focus on using the best possible evidence as to whether a tracheal intubation is indicated.
An equipment check should also be mandatory for unexpected intubation, and after tracheal intubation, the focus of the provider should be on maintaining pulmonary stability without harming the patient by inadequate sedation.
Read the report in Anesthesiology on difficult intubation (pdf).
Read more on anesthesia:
-10 Anesthesia Studies Making Recent Headlines
-Congress Acts at Last No Cuts in Medicare Payments
-Better Order Entry Systems Could Reduce Error in Patient-Controlled Analgesia