Development of a Multidisciplinary Pediatric Airway Program: An Institutional Experience

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Anesthesiology
• Critical Care

Background:

• Difficult airway emergencies pose significant risks in pediatric patients.
• Predictive clinical factors and medical history aid in identifying at-risk children.
• Advanced airway management technologies are increasingly used outside the operating room.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and components of a comprehensive Pediatric Difficult Airway Program.
• To address the need for specialized teams, consultation services, and education for pediatric airway emergencies.
• To improve the success rate of first-attempt intubation in pediatric patients with difficult airways.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a multidisciplinary, multicomponent program including a Pediatric Difficult Airway Response Team (PDART), a Pediatric Difficult Airway Consult Service, and an educational program.
• Analysis of PDART emergency calls, including timing, devices used, and patient characteristics.
• Focus on patients with pre-existing difficult airway designations or anatomical variations.

Main Results:

• 41% of PDART calls occurred during evening hours, necessitating 24/7 specialized team availability.
• A wide range of airway management devices were utilized, highlighting the need for extensive training.
• Most PDART calls involved patients with known difficult airways or challenging anatomical variations.

Conclusions:

• The Pediatric Difficult Airway Program effectively addresses critical components of pediatric airway management.
• The Pediatric Difficult Airway Consult Service has shown potential in reducing emergent calls.
• Enhanced training and preparedness are crucial for managing pediatric airway emergencies and achieving successful intubation.