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The article discusses the potential barriers to universal videolaryngoscopy for anaesthetists in training in the UK. The study found that there was significant variability in the use of videolaryngoscopy between hospitals, with usage ranging from 0% to 92.3%. Anaesthetists in training were more likely to use videolaryngoscopy at hospitals with lower overall usage, suggesting their support for its safety advantages. However, they may encounter differences in equipment available at each hospital, which could lead to unfamiliarity with the technical details. The article suggests that standardization of equipment and practice may be necessary to improve safety and familiarity if universal videolaryngoscopy is to be adopted. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Airway management, including endotracheal intubation, is one of the cornerstones of care of critically ill patients. Internationally, health professionals from varying backgrounds deliver endotracheal intubation as part of their critical care role. This article considers the development of airway management skills within a single advanced critical care practitioner (ACCP) team and uses case series data to analyse the safety profile in performing this aspect of critical care. Skills were acquired during and after the ACCP training pathway. A combination of theoretical teaching, theatre experience, simulation and work-based practice was used. Case series data of all critical care intubations by ACCPs were collected. Audit results: Data collection identified 675 intubations carried out by ACCPs, 589 of those being supervised, non-cardiac arrest intubations requiring drugs. First pass success was achieved in 89.6% of cases. A second intubator was required in 4.3% of cases. Some form of complication was experienced by 42.3% of patients; however, the threshold for complications was set at a low level. Conclusions: This ACCP service developed a process to acquire advanced airway management skills including endotracheal intubation. Under medical supervision, ACCPs delivered advanced airway management achieving a first pass success rate of 89.6%, which compares favourably with both international and national success rates. Although complications were experienced in 48.3% of patients, when similar complication cut-offs are compared with published data, ACCPs also matched favourably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of videolaryngoscopy for tracheal intubation and the barriers to its universal adoption in the UK. The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of a multicenter observational study to determine the baseline usage of videolaryngoscopy and identify any obstacles to its widespread use. They found that videolaryngoscopy was used in 27.7% of cases, with significant variation among hospital sites. The study also examined the influence of the primary airway manager's experience on the choice of laryngoscopy technique. The authors recommend further studies to assess the impact of guidelines on the use of videolaryngoscopy. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Drug-free tracheal intubation has been a common intervention in the context of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest for many years, however its use by paramedics has recently been the subject of much debate. Recent international guidance has recommended that only those achieving high tracheal intubation success should continue to use it.Methods: We conducted a retrospective service evaluation of all drug-free tracheal intubation attempts by specialist paramedics (critical care) from South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust between 1st January and 31st December 2019. Our primary outcome was first-pass success rate, and secondary outcomes were success within two attempts, overall success, Cormack-Lehane grade of view, and use of bougie.Results: There were 663 drug-free tracheal intubations and following screening, 605 were reviewed. There was a first-pass success rate of 81.5%, success within two attempts of 96.7%, and an overall success rate of 98.35%. There were ten unsuccessful attempts (1.65%). Bougie use was documented in 83.4% on the first attempt, 93.5% on the second attempt and 100% on the third attempt, CONCLUSION: Specialist paramedics (critical care) are able to deliver drug-free tracheal intubation with good first-pass success and high overall success and are therefore both safe and competent at this intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Optimal airway management during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is uncertain. Complications from tracheal intubation (TI) may be avoided with supraglottic airway (SGA) devices. The AIRWAYS-2 cluster randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN08256118) compared the i-gel SGA with TI as the initial advanced airway management (AAM) strategy by paramedics treating adults with non-traumatic OHCA. This paper reports the trial cost-effectiveness analysis.Methods: A within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis of the i-gel compared with TI was conducted, with a six-month time horizon, from the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS) and personal social services. The primary outcome measure was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), estimated using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Multilevel linear regression modelling was used to account for clustering by paramedic when combining costs and outcomes.Results: 9296 eligible patients were attended by 1382 trial paramedics and enrolled in the AIRWAYS-2 trial (4410 TI, 4886 i-gel). Mean QALYs to six months were 0.03 in both groups (i-gel minus TI difference -0.0015, 95% CI -0.0059 to 0.0028). Total costs per participant up to six months post-OHCA were £3570 and £3413 in the i-gel and TI groups respectively (mean difference £157, 95% CI -£270 to £583). Based on mean difference point estimates, TI was more effective and less costly than i-gel; however differences were small and there was great uncertainty around these results.Conclusion: The small differences between groups in QALYs and costs shows no difference in the cost-effectiveness of the i-gel and TI when used as the initial AAM strategy in adults with non-traumatic OHCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative sore throat is common after general anesthesia. The incidence in pediatric anesthesia is variable, and the etiology unclear. Establishing risk factors would enable prevention and could improve quality of care. Aims: We performed a prospective single‐center cohort study aiming to establish the incidence of postoperative sore throat in children undergoing GA with an endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask airway. Secondary aims were to identify independent risk factors for sore throat and the incidence of other postoperative complications including stridor, laryngospasm, nausea and vomiting, and delayed oral intake. Methods: Between November 2017 and April 2018, perioperative data were collected from children aged 5‐16 years undergoing general, plastic, urology, renal, and orthopedic surgery. Patients completed a postoperative questionnaire within 24 hours of surgery. Results: We screened 334 children for inclusion at a tertiary pediatric hospital in the United Kingdom. One hundred and ninety‐seven patients were included in the final analysis. The frequency of postoperative sore throat was 36.5%. Stridor occurred in 1.5%, laryngospasm 1.0%, postoperative nausea 59.4%, vomiting in recovery 4.6%, and delayed oral intake due to postoperative sore throat 30%. Nausea, vomiting, thirst, and pain were associated with a sore throat. Univariate analysis showed anesthesia longer than 2 hours, and use of an endotracheal tube was statistically associated with higher risk of sore throat. Over 50% of children with an endotracheal tube cuff pressure <20 cmH2O had a postoperative sore throat. Conclusion: Postoperative sore throat is common in children. Endotracheal intubation is associated with a greater incidence than laryngeal mask airway use. A high rate of postoperative sore throat in children with endotracheal tube cuff pressures within the recommended range suggests multifactorial etiology. To confirm validity of the identified risk factors, we would recommend a larger prospective multi‐center study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 'cannot intubate cannot oxygenate' (CICO) emergency requires urgent front of neck airway (FONA) access to prevent death. In cases reported to the 4th National Audit Project, the most successful FONA was a surgical technique, almost all of which were performed by surgeons. Subsequently, UK guidelines adopted surgical cricothyroidotomy as the preferred emergency surgical FONA technique. Despite regular skills-based training, anaesthetists may still be unwilling to perform an emergency surgical FONA. Consultant anaesthetists, head and neck surgeons, and general surgeons were compared in a high-fidelity simulated emergency. We hypothesised that head and neck surgeons would successfully execute emergency surgical FONA faster than anaesthetists and general surgeons.Methods: We recruited 15 consultants from each specialty (total of 45) at a single tertiary care hospital in the UK. All agreed to participate in an in situ high-fidelity simulation of an 'anaesthetic emergency'. Participants were not told in advance that this would be a CICO scenario.Results: There were no significant differences in total time to successful ventilation between anaesthetists, head and neck surgeons and general surgeons (median 86 vs 98 vs 126 s, respectively, P=0.078). Anaesthetists completed the emergency surgical FONA procedure significantly faster than general surgeons (median 50 vs 86 s, P=0.018). Despite this strong performance, qualitative data suggested some anaesthetists still believed 'surgeons' best placed to perform emergency surgical FONA in a genuine CICO situation.Conclusion: Anaesthetists regularly trained in emergency surgical FONA function at levels comparable with head and neck surgeons and should feel empowered to lead this procedure in the event of a CICO emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation has been considered a core skill for all paramedics since the inception of the profession in the 1970s, and continues to be taught within the majority of pre-registration paramedic training programmes. However, the standards of both training and assessment of competence in intubation vary considerably between institutions,this has been compounded by reduced opportunities for supervised clinical practice within the operating theatre environment. The College of Paramedics' Airway Working Group commissioned a rapid evidence review, to inform a consensus statement on paramedic intubation, with the research question: How do paramedics learn and maintain the skill of tracheal intubation? Methods: Rapid evidence reviews are literature reviews that use methods to accelerate or streamline the traditional systematic review process. Randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised controlled trials, prospective and retrospective observational studies, systematic reviews and qualitative studies, published from 1970 onwards, were all eligible for inclusion. The search was restricted to paramedics/paramedic students and learning/maintaining the skill of tracheal intubation. Results: A comprehensive search of CINAHL, MEDLINE and Google Scholar was undertaken. Ten papers were classed as sufficiently relevant for inclusion. They identified that there is no clear definition of a paramedic having 'learnt' the skill of intubation. Suggested measures include first-pass success of 90% for pre-hospital intubation, or a range of measures, such as intubation success and complication rates, laryngoscopy technique and decision-making. Intubation training should use a range of modalities, including didactic lectures, videos and practical sessions on multiple types of airway manikins. Supervision by experienced faculty is required. Little is known about how paramedics maintain their skill in intubation, given the lack of clinical opportunity. Yearly skills retraining can help, and can be enhanced by demonstrations/lectures from experienced faculty. Conclusion: Further research is needed to understand how paramedics maintain their skill in intubation, given the limited opportunities to use the skill in a clinical setting and lack of opportunities with UK ambulance services for retraining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NeoPRINT Survey was designed to assess premedication practices throughout UK NHS Trusts for both neonatal endotracheal intubation and less invasive surfactant administration (LISA). An online survey consisting of multiple choice and open answer questions covering preferences of premedication for endotracheal intubation and LISA was distributed over a 67-day period. Responses were then analysed using STATA IC 16.0. Online survey distributed to all UK Neonatal Units (NNUs). The survey evaluated premedication practices for endotracheal intubation and LISA in neonates requiring these procedures. The use of different premedication categories as well as individual medications within each category was analysed to create a picture of typical clinical practice across the UK. The response rate for the survey was 40.8 % (78/191). Premedication was used in all hospitals for endotracheal intubation but overall, 50 % (39/78) of the units that have responded, use premedications for LISA. Individual clinician preference had an impact on premedication practices within each NNU. The wide variability on first-line premedication for endotracheal intubation noted in this survey could be overcome using best available evidence through consensus guidance driven by organisations such as British Association of Perinatal |Medicine (BAPM). Secondly, the divisive view around LISA premedication practices noted in this survey requires an answer through a randomised controlled trial. • Premedication was used in all UK neonatal units for endotracheal intubation. • Seven different pre-medication combinations were used for analgesia/sedation prior to endotracheal intubation. • Clinicians' opinion regarding premedication for LISA was divisive because of lack of good quality evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of capnography in the critical care unit for anaesthetized patients for monitoring the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide. Topics include fourth national audit project (NAP4) of Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Difficult Airway Society on same; airway complications occurred in the intensive care unit and the emergency department; and use of canography for airway management and monitoring of respiratory and cardiovascular function.

Introduction - Although there are published studies examining UK paramedic airway management in the out-of-hospital setting, there has been no sizeable survey of practicing UK paramedics that examines their advanced airway management practice, training and confidence. Therefore, the Airway Management Group of the College of Paramedics commissioned a survey to gain an up to date snapshot of advanced airway management practice across the UK among paramedics. Methods - An online questionnaire was created, and a convenience sample of Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered paramedics was invited to participate in the survey. Invitations were made using the College of Paramedics e-mail mailing list, the College website, as well as social media services such as Twitter and Facebook. The survey ran online for 28 days from 21 October to 18 November 2014 to allow as many paramedics to participate as possible. The survey questions considered a range of topics including which supraglottic airway devices are most commonly available in practice and whether or not tracheal intubation also formed a part of individual skillsets. In relation to intubation, respondents were asked a range of questions including which education programmes had been used for original skill acquisition, how skills were maintained, what techniques and equipment were available for intubation attempts, individual practitioner confidence in intubation and how intubation attempts were documented. Results - A total of 1658 responses to the survey were received. Following data cleansing, 152 respondents were removed from the survey, leaving a total of 1506. This represented 7.3% of paramedics registered with the HCPC (20,565) at the time the survey was conducted. The majority of respondents were employed within NHS ambulance services. Summary - This is the largest survey of UK paramedics conducted to date, in relation to advanced airway management. It provides an overview of advanced airway management, with a particular focus on intubation, being conducted by UK paramedics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for timely and appropriate airway management for trauma patients is widely recognised. There are a small number of severely injured patients who cannot be adequately supported with basic airway manoeuvres, and require early advanced airway management. The way in which this care is provided remains highly controversial. Whilst it is clear that effective airway management remains a priority for all patients and poorly performed pre-hospital anaesthesia may be detrimental to patient outcome, debate remains over exactly which patients will benefit from early advanced airway interventions, and how it should be provided. The evidence base is small and inconsistent, with significant heterogeneity in the reported data, making it impossible to draw meaningful conclusions. Current practice is not standardised, and care is delivered by providers of different abilities using a range of equipment and techniques. Standards of care provided during in-hospital practice relating to these issues of provider competence, equipment, and monitoring should be directly translated into delivery of care outside the hospital, but this is not always the case. The aim of this review is to evaluate the current evidence surrounding pre-hospital advanced airway management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction There is ongoing debate and conflicting evidence surrounding the place of cricoid pressure (CP) as part of a rapid sequence induction (RSI) of anaesthesia. This study investigated the current use of CP during trauma RSI and compared reported practice in the UK with the rest of Europe. Methods An anonymised, web-based survey was sent to all clinicians registered as European Trauma Course instructors. Results CP use was reported by 83.1% of UK respondents and 39.4% from the rest of Europe, with an overall reported use of 49.8%. Anaesthetists use CP less commonly (35.6%) than clinicians from other specialties (63.6%). The most common reason given for not using CP (76.7%) was a perceived lack of evidence of effectiveness. Conclusion Generally the use of CP appears to be in decline with only half of all clinicians reporting to use it; however it remains much more commonly used in the UK than the rest of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective was to identify whether the experience of the operating surgeon was relevant to the frequency of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) airway obstruction or change to an endotracheal tube during ear, nose, and throat surgery. Methods: Data were prospectively collected for 186 patients undergoing a procedure with the use of a Boyle–Davis gag and LMA over 12 months in a district-general hospital in the United Kingdom. patient demographics (age, mallampati grade), grade of surgeon, grade of anesthetist, LMA size inserted, and any intraoperative adjustments needed were recorded. Results: There was an overall intraoperative airway intervention rate of 21%. The experience of the surgeon affected the rate of intraoperative airway interventions encountered, reflected by the significantly lower rate of airway complications (ie, 10%) seen when associate specialists perform these types of procedures compared to other grades of surgeon (Fisher's exact test 2-tailed P value = .04). A significant complication rate of 50% was seen with core surgical trainees compared to other grades of surgeon (Fisher's exact test 2-tailed P value = .002). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest there may be a learning curve for otolaryngology trainees when using a LMA. However, larger studies and further subanalyses are essential before further conclusions can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In trauma patients intubated in a physician-led pre-hospital trauma service we prospectively examined the rate of misplaced tracheal tubes, the presence and nature of gross airway contamination, and the value of ‘quick look’ airway assessment to identify patients with subsequent difficult laryngoscopy. Methods: Patients requiring pre-hospital intubation in a 16 month period were included. Intubation success rate, misplaced tracheal tube rate, Cormack and Lehane grade, and the presence and nature of gross airway contamination were recorded at laryngoscopy. Tube placement was verified with carbon dioxide detection and chest x-ray. After visual assessment physicians stated whether laryngoscopy was expected to be a straightforward or ‘difficult’. The assessment was compared to subsequent laryngoscopy grade. Results: 400 patients had attempted intubation and 399 were successfully intubated. 42 were in cardiac arrest and intubated without drugs. There were no oesophageal or misplaced tracheal tubes. Gross airway contamination was reported in 177 of 400 patients (44%), of which ¾ was from the upper airway. Unconscious patients had higher contamination rates (57%) than conscious patients (34%) (p ≤ 0.0001). As a test of difficult intubation, the ‘quick look’ generated sensitivity 0.597 and specificity 0.763 (PPV and NPV were 0.336 and 0.904 respectively). Conclusion: This study suggests that when physicians perform pre-hospital anaesthesia they have high intubation success rates and the use of ETCO2 monitoring reduces or eliminates undetected misplaced tracheal tubes. We found high rates of airway contamination; mostly blood from the upper airway. The ‘quick look’ airway assessment had some utility but is unreliable in isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airway assessment and management skills are vital in an emergency department (ED) as they are the most sensitive indicator of patient deterioration. Problems as common as head injury or alcohol intoxication are associated with an inadequate airway or diminished respiratory function and can cause a patient's condition to decline rapidly. Maintaining a patient's airway and facilitating breathing is the main priority in any emergency situation, although achieving airway control can be difficult. All health professionals need to be able to safely undertake airway management. The key is a thorough assessment to determine whether the airway is patent or not. This paper will discuss the importance and practicalities of airway management and assessment in the emergency and intensive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The first stage of the Royal College of Anaesthetists Fourth National Audit Project (NAP4) (to determine the incidence of major complications of airway management in the UK) required a national census of airway management techniques currently in use. Methods A network of local reporters (LRs) was established, with a link to each of the 309 National Health Service hospitals believed to undertake surgery. LRs were requested to report the primary airway management technique used for all general anaesthetics performed in their hospital during a specified 2 week period. Individual unit's data for the survey period were extrapolated using a multiplier of 25 to provide an estimated annual usage. Results Data were received from all 309 hospitals. The number of general anaesthetics reported in the 2 weeks was 114 904 giving an estimate of 2.9 million annually. Eighty-nine per cent of returns were reported by the LR to be ‘accurate’ or ‘a close estimate’ (an error of <10%). The primary airway management device for general anaesthesia was a supraglottic airway in 64 623 (56.2%), a tracheal tube in 44 114 (38.4%), and a facemask in 6167 (5.3%). Conclusions The second stage of NAP4 is designed to register and collect details of each major airway complication from the same hospitals over a 12 month period. The individual case reports will produce the numerator to calculate the incidence of airway complications associated with general anaesthesia in the UK. The results of the census presented here will provide the denominator. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

At least 20% of reported major adverse airway events occur on the intensive care unit. This study surveyed 315 (96%) of all general, satellite, hepatobiliary, cardiac and neuro-intensive care units in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, finding that only 100 (32%) units always use capnography for tracheal intubation while only 80 (25%) always use capnography for continuous monitoring of patients requiring controlled ventilation. Three hundred and ten (98%) units utilise a checklist of airway equipment, 311 (99%) check its functionality on a daily basis and 296 (94%) units have access to a bronchoscope. Whilst 297 (94%) ICUs have an airway trolley, sufficient equipment for unanticipated difficult intubation was only seen on 33 (10%) of units. Guidelines addressing minimum standards for monitoring and airway safety on ICU are not being met and remain below the standard expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: Paramedic tracheal intubation has been reported to carry a high failure rate and morbidity. A comparison between doctor and paramedic-led intubation at out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) was conducted to assess whether this finding was observed in our clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective review of all medical OHCA attended by the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) over a 64-month period. Cases were identified and divided into doctor-led or paramedic-led groups. Self-reported intubation failure rate, morbidity and clinical outcome were observed and compared. Paramedic exposure to tracheal intubation was assessed. Results: 286 cases of medical OHCA were identified, 199 (69.6%) were doctor-led and 87 (30.4%) paramedic-led. Paramedic and doctor-led crews intubated an equivalent proportion of cases (Para-led 60.7% [37] vs. Dr-led 62.8% [98]; p =0.89) and no significant difference in failure rate was observed (Para-led 2.7% [1 case, 95% CI 0.0–7.9%] vs. Dr-led 3.1% [3 cases, 95% CI 0.0–6.5%]; p =1). No morbidity from failure-to-intubate was recorded, and equal rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) were observed (Para-led 20.7% [18] vs. Dr-led 20.6% [41]; p =0.89). Paramedics operating with the WNAA were found to have a higher exposure to tracheal intubation (WNAA 0.03 TT/shift vs. unselected paramedics 0.004 TT/shift). Conclusions: Experienced paramedics regularly operating with physicians have a low tracheal intubation failure rate at OHCA, whether practicing independently or as part of a doctor-led team. This is likely due to increased and regular clinical exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is pneumonia occurring in a patient within 48 hours or more after intubation with an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube and which was not present before. It is also the most common and fatal infection of ICU. VAP increases length of ICU stay by 28% and each incidence of VAP is estimated to generate an increased cost of £6000- £22000. The NICE in collaboration with NPSA is examining four technical patient safety solutions for the prevention of VAP. The Department of Health published a 'High impact intervention' for ventilated patients in June 2007. Eliminating or reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics should be the primary goal in reducing antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A postal survey of the 38 Ambulance Services in the United Kingdom was undertaken to find out what equipment is provided for paramedic crews to aid tracheal intubation and to confirm tracheal placement. The response rate to our survey was 100%. Fourteen (37%) ambulance services provided neither stylet nor bougie to facilitate difficult intubation. The laryngeal mask airway was available to 15 (40%) ambulance services. Seventeen (45%) ambulance services had use of a needle cricothyroidotomy set. Twenty-nine (76%) ambulance services had no type of device other than a stethoscope to confirm tracheal tube placement. This survey showed wide variations in the equipment for airway management available to paramedic crews in the United Kingdom. We recommend provision of a standard set of airway management equipment to all paramedic crews in the United Kingdom together with introduction of appropriate training programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Data were collected prospectively on the use of the gum elastic bougie in 200 patients. The bougie was successfully inserted into the trachea and tracheal intubation was accomplished in 199 cases. The bougie was inserted into the trachea at the first attempt in 178 cases. In nine cases (4.5%) a second, more experienced, clinician was required. In 173 cases, the grades of view were recorded before and after the application of laryngeal pressure; pressure improved the view in 80 cases (46%), had no effect in 89 (51%) and worsened the view in four cases (2%). Various recommendations for optimal external laryngeal pressure and use of the bougie were not followed on 15–64% of occasions. There is a need for better education in these techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Endotracheal suctioning is a frequently performed procedure that has many associated risks and complications. It is imperative that nurses are aware of these risks and are able to practise according to current research recommendations.* This study was designed to examine to what extent intensive care nurses knowledge and practice of endotracheal suctioning is based on research evidence, to investigate the relationships between knowledge and practice, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a research-based teaching programme.* This quasi-experimental study was a randomized, controlled, single-blinded comparison of two research-based teaching programmes, with 16 intensive care nurses, using non-participant observation and a self-report questionnaire.* Initial baseline data revealed a low level of knowledge for many participants, which was also reflected in practice, as suctioning was performed against many of the research recommendations.* Following teaching, significant improvements were seen in both knowledge and practice. Four weeks later these differences were generally sustained, and provide evidence of the effectiveness of the educational intervention.* The study raised concern about all aspects of endotracheal suctioning and highlighted the need for changes in nursing practice, with clinical guidelines and focused practice-based education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple device (U.K. Patent application no. 9907876.8) for fine adjustment of the cuff pressure of tracheal tubes and the laryngeal mask airway is described. In vitro tests confirm its efficiency. It is also a simple tool for training anaesthetic assistants in the operating theatre and nurses in the intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the techniques use in preventing the complications of anesthesia in Great Britain. Introduction of tracheal intubation; Development of laryngeal mask as an alternative to tracheal intubation; Use of end tidal carbon dioxide and tidal volume monitors.