Simulation as a Method of Understanding 

Emergency physicians can utilize a variety of airway adjuncts that are readily available. Some of these will be unique to one’s clinical site. If there are airway adjuncts that are not currently accessible at your institution, it would be advantageous not only to one’s colleagues, but it would also be beneficial to future patients if your institution could procure and familiarize its staff with these adjuncts. Video laryngoscopy has been more widely available because of technological advancements in recent years. Even though some emergency physicians may not have had formal training in the use of video laryngoscopy, there are several airway courses available to help them improve their skills. Although video laryngoscopy has significant limits when it comes to some patient presentations, it can also assist an emergency physician in managing some exceedingly challenging airways. When it comes to the treatment of problematic airways, the ever-expanding field of simulation can be quite useful. Emergency physicians can practice with airway adjuncts that they may not be accustomed to employed in their clinical practice through the use of simulation. The use of airway adjuncts in simulation provides the ability for real-time feedback without the risk of patient deterioration. Emergency physicians should continually challenge themselves to become more comfortable with the airway adjuncts that are easily available to our practice—such as videolaryngoscopes, EGAs, cuffed pediatric tubes, and the pediatric bougie. There are many tools at our disposal; simulation can help us feel more comfortable utilizing them in times of crisis. 

Dr. Tagliaferro is assistant professor, of emergency medicine at Case Western Reserve University, and a faculty member at MetroHealth Medical Center/Cleveland Clinic Residency Program of Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Glauser is professor of emergency medicine at Case Western Reserve University, and a faculty member at MetroHealth Medical Center/Cleveland Clinic Residency Program of Emergency Medicine.

References 

1. Stein ML, Park RS, Kovatsis PG. Emerging trends, techniques, and equipment for airway management in pediatric patients. Pediatric Anesthesia 2020; 30: 269-279.
2. Sanders JE, Spina LA. Supraglottic airway devices for pediatric airway management in the emergency department. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice. October 2020; 17(10).