AB282. SOH26AB_0237. Emergency management of tracheostomies: a survey of anaesthetic trainees

Tracheostomies are surgical airways commonly inserted for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) on prolonged mechanical ventilation, or for patients having extensive upper airway surgery. Airway emergencies regarding tracheostomies do occur, and are often managed by anaesthetic non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs). These trainees require structured training and knowledge of the emergency algorithms outlined by the Difficult Airway Society (DAS) and the National Tracheostomy Safety Project (NTSP). The purpose of this audit was to assess the baseline knowledge of the DAS guidelines regarding the emergency management of tracheostomies by anaesthetic NCHDs in University Hospital Limerick (UHL), and to evaluate the impact of an education session.