The following guidelines apply if staff cannot be present at the bedside to supervise (nights, weekends) the intubation.
- If you have not completed your anesthesia rotation, anesthesia should be called for all intubations.
- If you have completed a minimum of 15 intubations (supervised in OR or in MICU) call the overnight intensivist with the information on the patient that you have assessed that needs intubation (instead of calling at the beginning of the shift as some may be doing now). Give them a brief snapshot of the clinical information including mallimpati score and discuss a backup plan in case you are not successful.
- Emergent intubations should proceed with anesthesia backup, and the case discussed with WB staff afterwards for guidance on continued airway/ventilator management.