title: The Availability of Advanced Airway Equipment and Experience with Videolaryngoscopy in the UK: Two UK Surveys.
abstract: Fibreoptic intubation, high frequency jet ventilation, and videolaryngoscopy form part of the Royal College of Anaesthetists compulsory higher airway training module. Curriculum delivery requires equipment availability and competent trainers. We sought to establish (1) availability of advanced airway equipment in UK hospitals (Survey I) and (2) if those interested in airway management (Difficult Airway Society (DAS) members) had access to videolaryngoscopes, their basic skill levels and teaching competence with these devices and if they believed that videolaryngoscopy was replacing conventional or fibreoptic laryngoscopy (Survey II). Data was obtained from 212 hospitals (73.1%) and 554 DAS members (27.6%). Most hospitals (202, 99%) owned a fiberscope, 119 (57.5%) had a videolaryngoscope, yet only 62 (29.5%) had high frequency jet ventilators. DAS members had variable access to videolaryngoscopes with Airtraq 319 (59.6%) and Glidescope 176 (32.9%) being the most common. More DAS members were happy to teach or use videolaryngoscopes in a difficult airway than those who had used them more than ten times. The majority rated Macintosh laryngoscopy as the most important airway skill. Members rated fibreoptic intubation and videolaryngoscopy skills equally. Our surveys demonstrate widespread availability of fibreoptic scopes, limited availability of videolaryngoscopes, and limited numbers of experienced videolaryngoscope tutors.
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
authors: Rachel L
authors: RL
authors: Gill
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, St. John's Hospital, NHS Lothian, Livingston EH54 6PP, UK.
authors: Audrey S Y
authors: AS
authors: Jeffrey
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
authors: Alistair F
authors: AF
authors: McNarry
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK ; Department of Anaesthesia, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608.
authors: Geoffrey H C
authors: GH
authors: Liew
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