J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 9
F
rom video
laryngo-
scopes to
supraglot-
tic air-
ways, advanced airway
devices have made intu-
bations and sedations
safer than ever — assum-
ing that your anesthesia
providers are comfort-
able using them. You
know what they say about assuming.
"We have lots of fancy airway devices and toys that have improved
first-pass success and safety of intubation, but staying proficient on all
the many different devices can be a challenge when there are 10 differ-
ent video laryngoscopes," says University of Florida College of
Medicine professor of anesthesiology Lauren Berkow, MD, FASA,
who's also president of the Society for Airway Management.
Calling video laryngoscopes "the biggest innovation in routine airway
management in the last 20 years," Richard P. Dutton, MD, MBA, chief qual-
ity officer at U.S. Anesthesia Partners in Dallas, Texas, notes a gradual
shift toward intubation via video laryngoscope as the standard of care.
"We still teach direct laryngoscopy, but more and more, the routine
practice is turning to video laryngoscopy because it's a little bit easier
and more reliable," says Dr. Dutton.
Over the years, the screens, optics, size, shape and form on video
Master of the Airway
Are your providers comfortable with an airway device in their hands?
Joe Paone | Senior Associate Editor
• DREAM SCREEN Video laryngoscopes let anesthesia providers see the airway
better than ever before — and they're simpler to use than traditional laryngo-
scopes, where you have to get the right angle and physically see with your eyes.
