One-Year Experience with the Institution of a Critical Airway Team at an Academic Medical Center

Abstract Background At our institution, there were a number of adverse patient events related to an unstable airway that led to the formation of a designated critical airway response team (CAT). It was hoped that this would improve patient outcomes in such matters. Objective Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the creation of the CAT. Methods A review of the activations of the CAT for 1 year was conducted. Results We reviewed 51 CAT activations, the majority (71%) occurred in the emergency department (ED) and the most common reasons for activation were angioedema (41%) and epiglottitis (12%). Fiber optic intubation was the most common method used to secure the airway, 22% of the cases were transported to the operating room for management. Only one surgical airway was required and no adverse outcome related to the airway occurred in the studied group. Conclusions The creation of a critical airway has been considered a success in terms of patient management at our institution. It has been most commonly used in the management of life-threatening angioedema in the ED.