This annual meeting took place in Edinburgh, and the hosts organised a three-day event with workshops and speakers from across the world, as well as discussion sessions that covered various aspects of airway management.
A group of us attended from BSUH, including anaesthetists at all levels (CT1 up to senior consultants) and three of our Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs). Between the group we submitted a number of poster presentations, which NAPGET generously supported.
Myself and another anaesthetist focused on ‘Plan D’ of the difficult airway planning – which is emergency Front of Neck access (eFONA). This is a rare occurrence, but something as anaesthetists we rely on drill sessions and scenarios to ensure we are familiar with the procedure if needed. Within the trust over an 18 month period, we unusually had 6 eFONA cases, and therefore used this as an opportunity for learning.
We recognized the highly emotive nature of being involved in such an emergency case – and developed a semi-structured questionnaire which enabled the clinicians to talk through the case, and to enable technical / logistical details to be covered as well as giving an opportunity to discuss the non-technical aspects.
Four main themes were highlighted in the poster that we presented at DAS, which included the reassurance that the actual procedure was very straightforward. More challenging was decision making and some of the logistics, and we were able to learn as a department from these points.
Two other posters were presented by a colleague and showcased the unique eFONA kit that we have developed at BSUH, alongside our ODP colleagues.
All poster presentations were very wellreceived. Thank you so much NAPGET for your support with producing the posters.
Dr Cally Dean, Consultant Anaesthetist, BSUH
The new anaesthetic postgraduate education Trust 