Airway Management SIG

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Airway Management SIG

Objective

The main objective of the Airway Management SIG is the promotion of science, education, exchange and distribution of ideas between anaesthetists with a particular interest and involvement in airway management. The group collaborate and have established links with other airway societies both within Australia and New Zealand and internationally.

The Airway Management SIG was set up to advance all aspects of airway management through the exchange of experience and knowledge.

Executive committee

Position Name Region
Chair Dr Rani Chahal Vic
Executive member Dr Maryanne Balkin Vic
Immediate past chair Dr Linda Beckmann Qld
SAS co-opted member Dr Nick Chrimes Vic
Executive member Dr Scott Douglas WA
Executive member Dr Yasmin Endlich SA
Honorary member Dr Andy Heard WA
Executive member Dr Sam Fitzpatrick WA
Executive member Dr Gerri Khong NSW
Executive member Dr Nadia Kohler-Vargas Qld
Executive member Dr Andrew Lonergan Qld
Honorary member Professor Ellen O’Sullivan Ireland
Executive member Dr Sarah Phipps New Zealand
Executive member Dr Adam Rehak NSW
Executive member Dr Savas Totonidis Tas
Research liaison Professor Andre Van Zundert Qld
Executive member Dr Andrew Wilson New Zealand

Airway leads network

The Airway Management Special Interest Group (SIG) is developing a network of airway leads throughout the Australian healthcare sector. Members will work collaboratively to improve airway management in anaesthesia. A similar network already exists in New Zealand.

For further information, please visit the Airway leads network webpage.

Difficult Airway Alert

The Airway Management SIG have long aspired to consistent reporting of difficult airway information and we are working toward the ultimate goal of a patient protective airway database.

The Queensland Difficult Airway Alert project has developed a standardised airway alert form supported by a background document with agreed definitions for difficult airway, difficulty with bag mask ventilation, supraglottic airway ventilation and tracheal intubation, both direct and videolaryngoscopy. The documents provide guidance on when an alert should be generated and how difficult airway information is disseminated.

The working group has also made additions to the SNOMED clinical terms system to allow for difficult airway information to be more accurately reflected in electronic health records. A longer term the goal is to utilise this standardised form into a point of care database for difficult airway alert information. In Australia this will need to be achieved through My Health Record and consultation with the Australian Digital Health Agency towards this intention is in progress.

The form has recently been updated after broad consultation with users of the form and airway experts across Australia and New Zealand. It reflects contemporary thinking on how best to relay information regarding a difficult airway. ANZCA are pleased to endorse the form and encourage its use to standardise communication surrounding this important clinical event.

The form can easily be rebranded for any local hospital or health service or an ANZCA branded version can be utilised by individual practitioners. The copyright agreement with QLD Statewide Anaesthesia and Perioperative Care Clinical Network (SWAPNet) require the copyright information to remain in the left border of the document and no clinical information to be altered. If you would like further information regards the form the SWAPNet co-ordinator can be contacted via email.

Resources

For copies of resources, please contact the Senior Events Officer.

Topicalisation and Sedation for Awake Fibreoptic Intubation

Please click here to download the Topicalisation and Sedation for Awake Fibreoptic Intubation document.

Membership

Membership of the Airway Management SIG is open to fellows and trainees of the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, members of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists and the New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists. Fellows of other colleges, practitioners and allied health professionals are encouraged to participate as associate members.

To join the Airway Management SIG, please download and return a completed SIG membership application form.

Contact us

For further information, please contact the events team.