How well equipped are ENT wards for airway emergencies?

With increased cross cover of specialities at night and more direct triaging of casualty patients to ENT wards, there is an increased need to ensure that there is adequate provision of emergency airway management. There are currently no national guidelines on what equipment should be available on ENT wards, and the authors have devised a portable airway box with all equipment deemed necessary to manage an acute airway. We believe that all junior doctors covering ENT should have airway training and access to an airway box. The aim of this study was to determine the provision of on-ward airway equipment and training on ENT wards in England.

A telephone survey of all English hospitals with in-patient ENT services.

A total of 103 departments were contacted with 98% response rate. Most wards were covered by a combination of ENT and other specialties. Results indicated that only 18% of departments had an airway box and 28% had some training in airway management.

Results suggest poor provision of emergency airway equipment and training on wards. We recommend the use of an airway box, and list of minimal equipment required.