Re: Surgical Airways

[Lisa Heinz <flytrn117@yahoo.com>]

I agree with the "home made" method.  The Melker kits are fine if you are in a controlled setting.  But can you thread that damn wire when its below freezing and you are God knows where???  We are thinking of removing the Melker kits from our jump bag.

Lisa, RN
Flight For Life - WI and IL

 Chad Nordike <cnordike@charter.net> wrote:

One problem found with pre-packaged kits is that there is no cuff on the
end. Most of the patients that I find benefit from a surgical airway are
those with sever facial trauma that need a cuff tube to prevent aspiration.
Our company carries that Melker Kit, but I prefer my home made one as
mentioned before with a 6-6.5 ETT cut down for easy handling, #10 scalpel,
KY, Alcohol Pad, betidine pad, forcepts curved and straight, and (4) 4x4's.
(Make sure you tell the receiving that you cut down the ETT so they don't
think it is as deep as it appears.) Some also carry umbilical tape to help
secure the tube. This method takes up less room in the AC and it a lot
cheaper. Hope this helps.

Chad Nordike
Flight Nurse


----- Original Message -----
From: "ANDREW SCAMMAN"
To:
Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2002 2:39 PM
Subject: Re: Surgical Airways


> We have been using Melker Kits for about 2 years now with lots of success
> and the crew really seems to love them. They are extremely easy to use and
> the cost per kit is approx. $85.
>
> Amy Scamman, RN
> Director Emergency Services/LifeFlight
> Evansville, IN
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> To:
> Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2002 2:00 PM
> Subject: Surgical Airways
>
>
> > Besides the neonatal hypothermia question, I/we have one more. We
> currently
> > carry the Patil Cricothyroidotomy Kit and were looking to change to
> another
> > kind. We are looking for any suggestions. Past experiences good and
bad,
> > ease of use, cost,...etc would be a great help. Thanks and Happy
> Holidays!
> > Fly safe.
> >
> > Anthony N. Cascio
> > Paramedic
> > STAT Flight
> > Lake Hiawatha, NJ USA
> >
> > "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for
they
> > become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study
> your
> > habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, fo
r
> it
> > becomes your destiny."
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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