AIRWAY MANAGEMENT

By: Brian Stansell

Airway management may be the single most important duty a respiratory therapist has.  Without a patent airway, ventilation and gas exchange are not possible and death is imminent.  Respiratory Therapists, along with other medical staff can quickly become a patient's lifeline when they are not able to maintain their airway on their own.

3 Categories of Airway Management Involving RT's

1- Airway Clearance Techniques

2- Artificial Airways

3- Special Procedures

Airway Clearance:

-Suctioning - When the patient is unable to clear their own secretions, it is up to the RT to clear the airway.  This is done via several methods.

         -Yankauer/tonsil tip for the oropharynx

         -Suction catheter for the lower airway and bronchi 

         -Closed system suction catheter for intubated patients 

*****CLICK HERE TO SEE AARC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUCTIONING****

Artificial Airways:

-There are several different artificial airways

         -Oropharyngeal 

         -Tracheostomy Tube

         -Endotracheal Tube 

         -Nasotracheal 

         -LMA (Laryngeal Mask Airway) 

         -Combitube 

****CLICK HERE TO SEE AARC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT OF AIRWAY EMERGENCIES****

Special Procedure - Bronchoscopy

-RT's assist physicians in the procedure

-Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which  an endoscope is inserted     into the bronchi for visualization

****CLICK HERE TO SEE AARC GUIDELINES FOR BRONCHOSCOPY ASSISTANCE****

****CLICK HERE TO SEE EXCELLENT VIDEO FOOTAGE OF A BRONCHOSCOPY****