In this episode, guest_name_1, a pediatric ICU specialist, discusses the risks of airway management in pediatric ICU, especially for children with cardiac disease or hemodynamic instability. They explore the concept of the resus spiral staircase and how to optimize team management, respiratory support, and hemodynamics. Topics covered include delayed sequence intubation, the use of better drugs and devices, ECMO standby, and de-resuscitation. The podcast also touches on controlling variability during intubation, staff turnover, challenges in the pediatric ICU unit, and the importance of successful intubation and post-intubation monitoring.
Optimizing team dynamics and communication is crucial for successful airway management in pediatric ICU.
Methodical approach to intubation considering patient condition and urgency, with the use of video guidance.
Comprehensive monitoring, including additional measures like quantitative capnography, is essential for safe airway management in pediatric ICU.
Deep dives
Importance of Team and Environment
Effective team management and an optimized environment are crucial in airway management in pediatric ICU. The composition and communication within the team play a vital role in ensuring a successful procedure. Establishing clear roles, defining tasks, and improving communication can enhance team dynamics. Observing and learning from practices in other settings, such as the operating room, can provide valuable insights. The use of checklists and audible monitoring devices, like audible pulse oximeters, can help streamline the process and improve patient care.
Considerations for Intubation
Intubation should be approached methodically, taking into account the patient's condition and the urgency of the situation. It is important to assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation and adapt the approach accordingly. The use of video or endoscopy can aid in visualizing the airway and providing real-time guidance during the procedure. Training and teamwork are essential in ensuring a smooth and successful intubation process. Monitoring vital signs, such as pulse oximetry, ECG, and capnography, is critical for assessing the patient's status and adjusting the intervention as needed.
The Role of Monitoring
Comprehensive monitoring is essential during airway management in the pediatric ICU. Monitoring oxygen saturation, ECG, and blood pressure are standard practices. However, additional monitoring, such as quantitative capnography or ETCO2 measurement, can provide valuable information about ventilation and circulation. Monitoring the depth of anesthesia and assessing the patient's perfusion index are crucial for guiding the procedure and ensuring patient safety. Each patient's unique needs should be considered when determining the appropriate level and type of monitoring.
When to Seek Help
Knowing when to call for help and involve additional specialists is critical in airway management. The decision to seek assistance should be based on the complexity of the case, the urgency of the situation, and the available resources. In some instances, involving an anesthesiologist or an ENT specialist may be necessary for difficult or high-risk intubations. Effective communication and a clear escalation plan are essential to ensure timely support and to enhance patient outcomes.
Post-intubation Monitoring and Care
Once the patient is successfully intubated, continued monitoring and care are crucial. This period after intubation carries a higher risk, and close monitoring can help detect any complications or changes in patient status. Maintaining vigilant monitoring of vital signs, including ETCO2 levels, pulse oximetry, and ECG, is vital for early detection of any deterioration. The availability of specialized monitoring equipment and skilled personnel can greatly contribute to patient safety and successful outcomes.
Airway management remains the single highest risk time for our patients in pediatric ICU. We've known about these problems for a long time, but they're finally gaining the attention they deserve with registry projects and multicenter studies, new ways of thinking that move away from old dogmas and new ways to use our drugs and devices. One of the groups with the highest rates of peri intubation cardiac arrest is the child with cardiac disease or hemodynamic instability. Recent studies show extraordinary rates of peri intubation cardiac arrest as high as four to 15% in the 30 minute peri-intubation window.
We'll discuss resuscitation and airway management in child with cardiac disease or hemodynamic instability, introduce the concept of the resus spiral staircase and talk about how you can optimize your team, respiratory support and hemodynamics. We cover delayed sequence intubation and that not every patient needs a tube and not every patient needs a tube right now. With better drugs and devices like dexmedetomidine and non-invasive, we've actually opened up a big zone between no support and invasive ventilation. We'll discuss ECMO standby when, how, who, and then finally de-resuscitation and extubation or separation from support.
This is a really big episode, so we've split it into two. This first half covers the resus spiral, team management and monitoring. And in the second episode, we will go into respiratory and hemodynamic support, rescue strategies, including ECMO and finally extubation.
Featuring regular hosts @drpetaalexander @BostonChildrens @karen_choong @MCH-childrens @drgregkelly @SCHNkidsNo time to listen or want to participate in the discusion? You can find a full Tweetorial of this episode on Twitter @pedsintensiva and our website here https://pedsintensiva.com
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