Meera N Gonzalez1, Brian Weston2, Tarik K Yuce3, Ann M Carey1, Rodger E Barnette1, Amy Goldberg4, Robert M McNamara5. 1. Department of Anesthesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2. Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Chester, Pennsylvania. 4. Department of Surgery, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 5. Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: At our institution, there were a number of adverse patient events related to an unstable airway that led to the formation of a designated critical airway response team (CAT). It was hoped that this would improve patient outcomes in such matters. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the creation of the CAT. METHODS: A review of the activations of the CAT for 1 year was conducted. RESULTS: We reviewed 51 CAT activations, the majority (71%) occurred in the emergency department (ED) and the most common reasons for activation were angioedema (41%) and epiglottitis (12%). Fiber optic intubation was the most common method used to secure the airway, 22% of the cases were transported to the operating room for management. Only one surgical airway was required and no adverse outcome related to the airway occurred in the studied group. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of a critical airway has been considered a success in terms of patient management at our institution. It has been most commonly used in the management of life-threatening angioedema in the ED.
BACKGROUND: At our institution, there were a number of adverse patient events related to an unstable airway that led to the formation of a designated critical airway response team (CAT). It was hoped that this would improve patient outcomes in such matters. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the creation of the CAT. METHODS: A review of the activations of the CAT for 1 year was conducted. RESULTS: We reviewed 51 CAT activations, the majority (71%) occurred in the emergency department (ED) and the most common reasons for activation were angioedema (41%) and epiglottitis (12%). Fiber optic intubation was the most common method used to secure the airway, 22% of the cases were transported to the operating room for management. Only one surgical airway was required and no adverse outcome related to the airway occurred in the studied group. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of a critical airway has been considered a success in terms of patient management at our institution. It has been most commonly used in the management of life-threatening angioedema in the ED.