Airway Management During a Mass Casualty Event

ABSTRACT

Mass casualty respiratory failure will lead to many challenges, not the least of which is safe and secure management of the victims ariways. These patients will be sicker than those typically managed in the operating room and will requiere more emergency management fo their ariways. Mass casualty incidents involving biological or chemical agents will pose the addittional risk of exposure to pathogen. During the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic in Toronto, airway manipulation was clearly identified as the procedure most associated with risk to health care workers. Planning for scenarios such as these will require consideration of personal protection for health care workers to minimize these risks. Understanting the risk involved and the airway techniques required for each possible scenario will be key to planning and preparation. (AU)