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.
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 |
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.
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.
For copies of resources, please contact the Senior Events Officer.
Please click here to download the Topicalisation and Sedation for Awake Fibreoptic Intubation document.
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.
For further information, please contact the events team.