International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Brussels, Belgium, 18 March, 2014 — In response to the NAP4 study addressing the clinical need for both Seldinger* and surgical cricothyrotomy procedures to be taught side-by-side[1], Cook Medical today announces a compact surgical set. This cricothyrotomy range expansion allows clinicians to stay up to date with the latest developments, and builds on Cook Medical’s experience in designing products for Seldinger and emergency airway procedures. The new surgical set can be used both inside and outside hospital settings. It is specifically packaged for procedural use and ideal for smaller work spaces. It is also easily transported in medical kit bags and packs. Dan Sirota, vice president and global business unit leader for Cook Medical’s critical care division explains the development of the new surgical set: ‘When a patient loses an airway, physicians often only have seconds to make a lifesaving decision. The NAP4 report brought home this reality. We built a business on designing products for Seldinger procedures, but recognised that our customers have different needs.’ Training and preparedness are key for successful surgical and Seldinger cricothyrotomy procedures. By providing products and training to meet physicians’ needs, Cook is helping them to confidently perform lifesaving procedures when seconds count. According to Professor Tim Cook, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Royal United Hospital Bath: ‘It is critical that healthcare institutions provide the equipment and training necessary for their staff to deal with emergency airway access procedures. We train our anaesthetists and ICU staff twice a year. Although it is a rare procedure, a cricothyrotomy can mean the difference between life and death. Being able to carry it out quickly minimises the risk of damage from oxygen starvation.’ The Melker Cuffed Emergency Cricothyrotomy Catheter Set Surgical Version is now available across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
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The Melker Emergency Cuffed Cricothyrotomy Catheter Set Surgical Version includes safety scalpel, Trousseau dilator, tracheal hook, blunt curved dilator, syringe, tracheostomy tape, airway catheter. *The Seldinger technique uses a guide wire to achieve access to the airway. [1]Frerk C, Cook T. Management of the ‘can’t intubate, can’t ventilate’ situation and the emergency surgical airway. In 4th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Difficult Airways Society. London, England: Royal College of Anaethetists; 2011. Published March 2011. Accessed February 14, 2013.
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1Frerk C, Cook T. Management of the ‘can’t intubate, can’t ventilate’ situation and the emergency surgical airway. In 4th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Difficult Airways Society. London, England: Royal College of Anaethetists; 2011. http://www.rcoa.ac.uk/system/files/CSQ-NAP4-Full.pdf. Published March 2011. Accessed February 14, 2013.