Instructions for Single-Handed Endotracheal Intubation Technique with the AIROD

  1. DO NOT USE THE AIROD® IN CHILDREN.
  2. DO NOT USE WITH AN ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE SMALLER THAN 6.5 mm.
  3. Prepare all necessary equipment for standard endotracheal intubation.
  4. Remove the AIROD® from its sterile packaging and fully extend the three rods so that the two locks are completely engaged. Test the AIROD® to make sure it does not collapse by applying pressure to both ends and try to collapse the AIROD®. Once the operator has confirmed that the AIROD® is fully extended and locked proceed. DO NOT PROCEED IF THE AIROD® IS NOT FULLY EXTENDED AND LOCKED.
  5. Load an endotracheal tube 6.5 mm or larger with a 10 mL syringe attached onto the distal end of the AIROD®.
  6. Lay the patient in the supine position.
  7. Extend the neck into the sniffing position (unless contraindicated).
  8. Sedate the patient.
  9. Hyper-oxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen for 2 minutes with bag-valve mask ventilation unless contraindicated.
  10. Open the patient’s mouth and gently insert the laryngoscope into the oropharynx taking care not to damage the teeth or oropharyngeal tissue.
    1. If using a Mac blade slide the blade above the epiglottis and into the vallecula.
    2. If using a Miller blade slide the blade underneath the epiglottis.
  11. Using your left hand lift the laryngoscope upward and forward to expose the vocal cords making sure not to use the teeth as a fulcrum.
  12. Next with your right hand grasp the AIROD® like a pencil at the proximal end along the smallest reinforced rod with the 20-degree tip pointing upward.
  13. Gently advance the AIROD® past the mouth and down into the hypopharynx approximately 1-2 cm past the vocal cords.
  14. Using your right hand, advance the pre-loaded endotracheal tube down the AIROD® and into the trachea while pulling back the AIROD® as needed. No assistance required.
  15. Once the endotracheal tube is in the desired position in the trachea inflate the endotracheal balloon, remove the AIROD® and then remove the laryngoscope.
  16. Attach a CO2 detector to the end of the endotracheal tube.
  17. Ventilate with a bag-valve mask ensuring CO2 detector color change.
  18. Auscultate the chest making sure there is good chest rise and breath sounds heard throughout all four quadrants of the lungs.
  19. Confirm appropriate endotracheal tube placement with a chest x-ray.

 

Complications associated with the misuse of AIROD® during endobronchial intubation may include

  1. An endotracheal tube that is mistakenly sized or misplaced, especially in an apneic patient, can quickly lead to hypoxia and death.
  2. Accidental intubation of the esophagus.
  3. Oropharyngeal trauma.
  4. Broken teeth or dentures.
  5. Endobronchial intubation, endotracheal tube inserted too far.
  6. Esophageal perforation.
  7. Pneumothorax.

Please download form below and sign instructions.  Email to info@airodmedical.com or fax to (305) 515-6038. Thank you.

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