Page 53 - Part 2 Anesthesiology Common Risk Issues

SVMIC Anesthesiology: Common Risk Issues

Airway to include a pulse oximeter and carbon dioxide detector,

and basic airway management equipment including, but not
limited to, “laryngoscope and assorted blades, endotracheal

tubes with stylets, oxygen source, suction source with tubing
and tonsil suction tip, self-inflating bag and mask for positive-

pressure ventilation, and medications for blood pressure
support, muscle relaxation, and hypnosis, should be immediately

available during the provision of neuraxial analgesia.”

In sections of the operative area of labor and delivery units,
including cesarean section rooms, the contents of a portable

storage unit for difficult airway management should include,
but are not limited to, “ rigid laryngoscope blades of alternate

design and size, videolaryngosopic devices, endotracheal tubes
of assorted size, endotracheal tube guides, at least one device

suitable for emergency nonsurgical airway ventilation consisting
of a face mask or supraglottic airway device and equipment

suitable for emergency surgical airway access such as a
cricothytotomy,” and “(a) preformulated strategy for intubation

of the difficult airway should be in place.” If tracheal intubation
fails, the use of “ventilation with mask and cricoid pressure

or with a supraglottic airway device (e.g., laryngeal mask
airway, intubating laryngeal mask airway, or laryngeal tube)

for maintaining an airway and ventilating the lungs” should be
considered.

A surgical airway should be performed if it is not possible
to ventilate or awaken the patient. In the event that

cardiopulmonary resuscitation is warranted, all operative
area of labor and delivery units should have immediate and

unobstructed access to basic and advanced life-support
equipment. If cardiac arrest occurs, standard resuscitative

measures should be initiated, and the uterine displacement

Page 53