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An Educational Video Demonstration of How to Prone a Critically Ill Intubated Patient
Published on: November 30, 2022
Airway management considerations in patients with COVID-19
Praveen Chahar1, Sidharth Dugar2, Donn Marciniak3
1Department of General Anesthesiology, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic.
Insights
Approximately 12-15% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients need invasive ventilation. Careful preparation, including equipment readiness and an experienced team, is crucial for minimizing disease transmission during endotracheal intubation.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care
Background:
- Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection often require invasive ventilation.
- Endotracheal intubation is an aerosol-generating procedure with a risk of disease transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline key strategies for minimizing disease transmission during endotracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Emphasis on careful preparation before the procedure.
- Ensuring necessary equipment and medications are readily available.
- Assembling an experienced intubation team capable of managing complications.
Main Results:
- Careful preparation is identified as the key to minimizing disease transmission risk.
- The importance of an experienced team for troubleshooting unforeseen complications is highlighted.
- The use of a "buddy" system for donning and doffing personal protective equipment is recommended.
Conclusions:
- Meticulous preparation and an experienced team are essential for safe endotracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients.
- Adherence to safety protocols, including PPE management, is critical for healthcare providers.
Abstract:
Approximately 12% to 15% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection require invasive ventilation via endotracheal intubation. The key to minimizing risk of disease transmission during this aerosol-generating procedure is careful preparation, which includes having necessary equipment and medications on hand as well as an experienced intubation team who can troubleshoot any unforeseen complications. Personal protective equipment should be donned and doffed in the presence of an assistant (ie, "buddy" system).
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