Code Critical Airway: A Collaborative Solution to a Catastrophic Problem.

MedStar author(s):
Citation: American Surgeon. :31348221101485, 2022 May 13PMID: 35562112Institution: MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: MedStar General Surgery Residency | MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/MedStar Washington Hospital Center | Surgery/Burn Services | Surgery/Surgical Critical Care | Surgery/Trauma SurgeryForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXEDYear: 2022Local holdings: Available online through MWHC library: 2005 - present, Available in print through MWHC library:1999-2007ISSN:
  • 0003-1348
Name of journal: The American surgeonAbstract: BACKGROUND: In 2006, a multi-disciplinary "Code Critical Airway" (CCA) Team was created at our institution. The objective of this study is to examine the demographics and outcomes of the patients for whom a CCA is activated.CONCLUSION: Inculcation of aggressive early escalation of airway emergencies through implementation of a CCA Team has resulted in significant improvement in first attempt airway stabilization and a decrease in surgical airways.METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients for whom a CCA was activated from 2008-2020. Data from 2006-2008 was not available due to timing of the implementation of the hospital's electronic medical record system. The early period of the experience with CCAs (2008-2014) was compared to the later period (2015-2020) CCA activations.RESULTS: There were 953 CCA activations. Over time, there was a statistically significantly increase in the number of CCA activations. CCAs occurred in the emergency department in 274 (29.0%), intensive care unit in 255 (27.0%), step-down unit in 60 (6.4%), wards in 294 (31.1%), and elsewhere in 61 (6.5%) cases. CCAs were managed with direct laryngoscopy in 97 patients (10.2%), video laryngoscope in 160 patients (16.8%), fiberoptic bronchoscopy in 179 patients (18.8%), bougie in 7 patient (0.7%), replacement of a prior tracheostomy in 262 patients (27.5%), and creation of a new surgical airway in 95 patients (10.0%). The definitive management of the CCA was not recorded in 76 patients (8.0%). Seven patients required removal of a foreign body (0.7%). There was no intervention in 70 patients (7.3%). There was an increase in successful first attempts at obtaining an airway comparing our experience in the early period (2008-2014) compared to the later period (2015-2020) (P < 0 .001). There was also a decrease in number of CCAs requiring a surgical airway (P = .030).All authors: Himmler A, Johnson LS, Martucci J, Mcdermott C, Rhoades E, Trankiem CTFiscal year: FY2022Digital Object Identifier: ORCID: Date added to catalog: 2022-07-06
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Item type Current library Collection Call number Status Date due Barcode
Journal Article MedStar Authors Catalog Article 35562112 Available 35562112

Available online through MWHC library: 2005 - present, Available in print through MWHC library:1999-2007

BACKGROUND: In 2006, a multi-disciplinary "Code Critical Airway" (CCA) Team was created at our institution. The objective of this study is to examine the demographics and outcomes of the patients for whom a CCA is activated.

CONCLUSION: Inculcation of aggressive early escalation of airway emergencies through implementation of a CCA Team has resulted in significant improvement in first attempt airway stabilization and a decrease in surgical airways.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients for whom a CCA was activated from 2008-2020. Data from 2006-2008 was not available due to timing of the implementation of the hospital's electronic medical record system. The early period of the experience with CCAs (2008-2014) was compared to the later period (2015-2020) CCA activations.

RESULTS: There were 953 CCA activations. Over time, there was a statistically significantly increase in the number of CCA activations. CCAs occurred in the emergency department in 274 (29.0%), intensive care unit in 255 (27.0%), step-down unit in 60 (6.4%), wards in 294 (31.1%), and elsewhere in 61 (6.5%) cases. CCAs were managed with direct laryngoscopy in 97 patients (10.2%), video laryngoscope in 160 patients (16.8%), fiberoptic bronchoscopy in 179 patients (18.8%), bougie in 7 patient (0.7%), replacement of a prior tracheostomy in 262 patients (27.5%), and creation of a new surgical airway in 95 patients (10.0%). The definitive management of the CCA was not recorded in 76 patients (8.0%). Seven patients required removal of a foreign body (0.7%). There was no intervention in 70 patients (7.3%). There was an increase in successful first attempts at obtaining an airway comparing our experience in the early period (2008-2014) compared to the later period (2015-2020) (P < 0 .001). There was also a decrease in number of CCAs requiring a surgical airway (P = .030).

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