ESAIC Academy

This webinar was moderated by Prof. Dr. Ilona Bobek, of the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Budapest, Hungary, with support from Scientific Faculty Leader, Prof. Dr. Marcelo Gama de Abreu of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany. 

The speakers included Dr. Massimiliano Sorbello from Policlinico San Marco University Hospital, Catania, Italy, Dr. Ana Lopez of the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain, Dr. Kariem El Bogdadly, of Guy’s and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom, and Prof. Dr. Robert Tino Greif of the Department and Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland.

The speakers presented their experiences in dealing with the numerous difficulties facing anesthesiologists in treating COVID-19 patients. After the introductions, Drs. Sorbello and Lopez began the webinar by discussing the anatomical and functional differences that anesthesiologists face when deciding to intubate COVID-19 patients. 

They continued by discussing the procedures they use and recommend, as well as the proper use of personal protection equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Dr. El Bogdadly continued the webinar discussing pre-oxygenation optimization and the importance of protecting yourself and preventing aerosolization during these procedures. Finally, Dr. Greif talked about the key points to prepare for airway rescue for COVID-19 patients.

When asked what the key take-home points of the webinar were, the speakers said, first and foremost, is protecting oneself from spreading the virus. This would be accomplished through preparation and planning. Train, simulate and communicate with your team in order to support one another. And finally, stay with techniques and equipment that you know and are comfortable with, since adding any layer of complexity will increase the risk to you and your colleagues.

• Establish criteria and decisional triggers for intubation in COVID19 patients
• Choose the most suitable PPEs when treating COVID19 patients in critical setting
• Learn COVID19 specific procedures for airway management, with practical tips&tricks
• Develop communication skills, cognitive aids and teamwork strategies to be adopted in COVID19 patient

• Clinical and instrumental evaluation in the intubation choice
• Safe preoxygenation techniques
• Safe intubation techniques
• Safe extubation techniques

• Communication skills in PPE
• Teamwork roles and allocation
• Teamwork decisions
• How to fight fear with knowledge (nosce hostem)