Airway equipment in Scottish emergency departments

Airway management is the cornerstone of resuscitation. Emergency endotracheal intubation is more likely to be difficult in the accident and emergency (A&E) department setting compared with the operating room. A&E departments must have an appropriate selection of equipment to deal with difficult airway problems. The aim of this study was to determine the type and range of equipment for airway management in A&E departments in Scotland, UK. A two-page postal survey was sent to consultants in charge of 24 A&E departments covering 98% of major trauma patients in Scotland. The response rate was 96% (23/24). Every department had equipment for basic airway management and all had laryngoscopes, stylets, gum elastic bougies and capnography. Ninety-six per cent (22/23) had equipment for performing a surgical airway and 74% (17/23) possessed laryngeal mask airways suitable for adults; only one department did not possess a suitable rescue device. Thirty per cent (7/23) of departments did not use capnography routinely to confirm correct placement of endotracheal tubes. It is concluded that airway equipment in Scottish A&E departments is adequate for basic airway care and endotracheal intubation. Nearly all departments have access to a suitable rescue device for the failed or difficult airway. Capnographic confirmation of tube placement should be mandatory in A&E.