Preparation for Intubation

Todd Fraser on 05-09-2011

I've just released a new vodcast on preparation for intubation. This vodcast aims to give junior doctors in ICU a way of ensuring the process goes as smoothly as possible. As we all know, induction and intubation is a perilous time for the critically ill patient and preparation is extremely important. Leave your comments below

6 Comments

Got something to say?

Log in to your account

Forgotten your password?

Jo Butler wrote 10-21-2011 01:27:53 pm
Yes, we do this reasonably frequently. We have a Laerdal ALS trainer permanently set up and run intubation scenarios whenever we have the chance. This has had a major impact on the process - everyone does it the same way and knows what to expect. In fact, I didn't really appreciate the lack of understanding of the process, particularly from nursing staff. I guess I shouldn't have been that surprised, given the infrequency of the process and the relatively large number of nursing staff involved in a unit.

Alex McKenzie wrote 09-05-2011 03:52:02 pm
Fantastic review Todd.

Two small comments to add to this :

I always ask for the airway gear to be set up on the right side of the patient so that you don't have to reach over to grab the tube / bougie etc.

The other tip is one I've heard recently for patients you think are going to become hypoxic very quickly after intubation. Putting high flow nasal cannulae on them seems to reduce hypoxia. Check out a review here :

http://bit.ly/ojmiC7

Oliver Arkell wrote 09-19-2011 07:29:32 am
Thanks for the great presentation.

I've heard there are printed "table mats" with a visual cue for the intubation tools you need - a bit like the shadow board you use to hang tools up in the shed. I think a pre-hospital team use them. I love this idea. Does anyone know where to get them?

Jo Butler wrote 10-06-2011 11:39:42 am
New South Wales ambulance service have a dump bag like this. It has a shadow-board of the equipment and a challenge-response checklist to ensure everything is ready. I know you can purchase them, but not sure how you get them.

Todd Fraser wrote 10-13-2011 11:56:57 am
Thanks for the feedback guys.

I believe there is a need to drill for this process much more than we (in my experience) currently do. Simulation has a massive role to play here - I'm interested to know if anyone uses "Pocket Simulation" to rehearse, how often and what scenarios.

Is anyone doing this routinely?

Todd Fraser wrote 10-07-2012 10:45:47 am
You can check out the vodcast here - http://crit-iq.com/index.php/Vodcast