A new sick patient rolls into the busy Emergency Department, satting in the low 80s. As you prepare for a likely intubation, you appropriately assess your patient and see
PLUS THIS:
Hopes at bagging this patient's O2 sat up for pre-oxygenation start to dwindle as quickly as your fit summer body over the holiday winter season.
If only there was another way... but wait! Rudolph isn't the only nose that can be useful this holiday season!
Nasal trumpet for ambu bagging:
1. Collect Supplies: nasal trumpet, 6.0 ETT, ambu bag and access to oxygen.
2. Separate ETT connector from ETT.
3. Connect ETT Connector to Nasal Trumpet
4. Connect joined ETT Connector-Nasal Trumpet to your ambu bag attached to the high flow oxygen (>>15 L/min, crank it all the way on)
5. Place into patient's nasopharynx, seal patient's mouth, and bag!
Thanks to Anya for her photography skills!
As always, comments, feedback and input appreciated!
Happy airways and holidays to all!
References:
Dr. David Saloum's clinical teaching (even though he was not aware that this would be become today's pearl - thanks anyway!)
Fancier double trumpet anesthesia option article: http://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=2492128