MANAGING A DIFFICULT AIRWAY

The management of a difficult airway is one of the fundamental competencies required for all anesthesia providers. Despite the Difficult Airway Algorithm guidelines developed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, high rates of mortality and morbidity related to anesthesia and difficult airways continue. Commonly found causes of difficulties with poor airway management were poor adherence to appropriate recommendations as well as a decline in retention of knowledge after training (Arriaga et al., 2013). A “Cannot intubate, cannot ventilate” situation in real life is rare, and may be difficult for anesthesia providers to achieve and maintain competency through clinical experiences. For this doctoral project, a semi-annual training program was developed to bring awareness, improve practice to existing skills, and enhance professional competencies among practicing anesthesia providers. The program included an educational module that culminated in a simulation scenario with a Failed Airway; checklists for evaluation were developed.