Prediction of difficult intubation. A pre-assessment nurses' guide.

Abstract

This article summarises a literature review which examined the best ways of predetermining difficult intubations for elective surgery. At Central Middlesex Hospital, patients are pre-assessed by nurses before intervention to ensure that they are fit for their operation. In the Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Centre (ACAD), concern was expressed about the lack of a standardised protocol for nurses' assessment of the airway.