Safer Airway Management: Implementing Difficult Airway Response Teams in Hospital Systems

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Emergency management of the difficult airway is a potentially complicated and high-stakes endeavor which may require rapid deployment of providers from multiple disciplines. The Difficult Airway Response Team (DART) was developed to answer this challenge. While DARTs have become more common, there are still large gaps in the presence of these programs in a wide range of hospitals. As the provider seen as the last line of defense in management of the difficult airway, the otolaryngologist has a strong incentive to take an active role in the development of these initiatives.

In this program, we will discuss the role of the DART across several large hospital systems comprising hospitals ranging from large academic centers to small community institutions. We will discuss the elements of a successful DART program, including resource management, education and quality improvement, as well as the key role that otolaryngologists play in these teams. Participants will gain a systems-based understanding of how to establish a DART program at their hospital. This panel will draw on the experience of our institutions, with widely varying resources, to provide relevant strategies to apply to participants’ home institutions.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Explain interdisciplinary management of difficult airways

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Explain systems issues that impact successful management of airway emergencies

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Implement a difficult airway response team at your hospital

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: The Difficult Airway Response Team was created to aid in emergency management of difficult airways due to the particular challenges and risks of these cases. As many hospitals are now implementing these teams, it is imperative to have guidance on creating a successful DART program.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement :