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COVID-19 airway management training resources

4.4.22

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Airway Management Training Manikins & Simulator Apps

Lifelike training in routine, advanced and emergency airway management procedures improves the safety of healthcare workers & improves patient outcomes, including difficult airway techniques.COVID-19 airway management training principles being practiced on a medical training manikin AA91100X

TruCorp manufactures the world’s most lifelike medical training manikins featuring the AirSim X airway backed by a 5-year warranty, as well as a patient monitor simulator and mechanical ventilation app for clinical and medical trainees.

How can healthcare providers protect themselves against coronavirus?

COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through droplets, similar to influenza transmission. Coughing, sneezing and certain airway management procedures can create airborne virus-containing particles.

Medical professionals must understand intrinsic transmission vulnerabilities and how to mitigate risk during the airway management process.

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HIGH AND LESSER-RISK AIRWAY MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

Airway management procedures involving gas flow can create an aerosol and are considered high risk:

  • CPR
  • Non-invasive or positive pressure bag-valve-mask ventilation
  • Atomized medication delivery via face mask
  • Tracheal extubation
  • Tracheal suction without closed system
  • High flow nasal oxygen (HFNO)

Aerosols may still be generated during other airway management procedures not involving gas flow.

In addition to the technical aspects of airway management, healthcare workers are facing or expected to face dramatic and pressure-filled situations including critical care bed shortage, lack of sufficient personal protective equipment and other logistical challenges.

Training in communication, decision-making, teamwork and following a preplanned strategy is a critical aspect of a successful COVID-19 airway management protocol.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Many medical education and simulation groups are in process of developing and recommending standard airway management practices for the COVID-19 patient group:

The Center for Medical Simulation (CMS) has shared a one-page overview of the Principles of Airway Management in Coronavirus COVID-19 before, during and after procedures.

The Medical Journal of Australia has released a consensus statement describing Safe Airway Society principles of airway management and tracheal intubation specific to the COVID-19 adult patient group.

The European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) has outlined comprehensive COVID-19 airway management guidelines including team preparation, a clinical checklist and decisional elements for airway management.