Abstract

 

 

Objectives: We performed a survey questionnaire for the year 2004 on equipment availability for airway management at anesthesia departments in Austria to assess their preparatory provisions for difficult airway (DA) management.

 

Mailing Procedure and Responses:  The questionnaire forms were sent to all 124 clinical directors of the anesthesia departments at public hospitals in Austria; the response rate was 66 percent.

 

Main Results: The availability of a DA cart, including at least a flexible bronchoscope, for the central or main operating area was provided in 80 percent; a DA cart or an equivalent unit was available or readily accessible for all anesthetizing locations in 32 percent. Obstetric departments were established at 62 institutions; for obstetric anesthesia workstations, a DA unit was available or readily accessible in 48 percent.

 

Conclusions: We demonstrated that there is much room for improvements in preparatory provisions for DA management at anesthesia departments in Austria. Benchmarking with the results of this survey and refining departmental directives may contribute to improved patient care. 

 

 

Introduction