A one‑day advanced airway management course for ICU doctors will be held at Royal Papworth Hospital.
Combining hands‑on technical skills, evidence‑based teaching, and high‑fidelity simulation, the course focuses on difficult airway management, videolaryngoscopy, FONA, tracheostomy emergencies, bronchoscopy‑assisted intubation, and crisis resource management.
Aligned with DAS guidelines and real‑world ICU practice, this course aims to improve confidence, competence, and patient safety in critical airway emergencies
Aim of the course
- To improve technical competence and decision‑making in advanced airway management in the ICU
- To enhance human factors, communication, and crisis resource management (CRM) during airway emergencies
- To increase familiarity with advanced airway devices and techniques used in critical care
- To prepare trainees to recognise airway failure early and act decisively, including timely FONA
Key Clinical Needs Addressed:
- Management of failed and difficult intubation in ICU patients
- Safe use of videolaryngoscopy in hypoxic and haemodynamically unstable patients
- Recognition and management of can’t intubate, can’t oxygenate (CICO) scenarios
- Front of Neck Access (FONA) techniques and indications
- Tracheostomy and tracheostomy emergency management, including displaced or blocked tracheostomies
- Bronchoscopy‑assisted intubation and airway rescue strategies
- Application of DAS algorithms to real‑world ICU scenarios
- Non‑technical skills: leadership, followership, task allocation, and closed‑loop communication
Course content:
Morning: Skills & Techniques (Hands‑On)
- Videolaryngoscopy: device selection, optimisation, and troubleshooting
- Difficult airway strategies in ICU inc airway exchange catheters
- FONA techniques (scalpel‑bougie‑tube approach)
- Tracheostomy emergencies (DAS & ICU‑specific scenarios)
- Bronchoscopy‑assisted intubation and airway management
Afternoon: Simulation & Human Factors
- High‑fidelity simulation of ICU airway emergencies
- Crisis Resource Management (CRM)
- Team communication under pressure
- Decision‑making and escalation
- Structured debrief with senior faculty
Educational Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Apply DAS airway algorithms confidently in ICU settings
- Demonstrate safe and effective use of advanced airway equipment
- Perform FONA with appropriate indications and technique
- Manage tracheostomy emergencies systematically
- Lead and contribute effectively to airway management during critical incidents
- Reflect on human factors and improve team performance in emergencies
Who should attend?
- ICU resident doctors
- Anaesthesia and ACCS trainees with an ICU focus
- Senior trainees preparing for independent on‑call practice
Faculty led by:
Dr Rachel D’Oliveiro, Consultant Intensivist
Dr Robert Gatherer, Consultant Intensivist and Anaesthetist
Registration deadline: Friday 12th February 2027 @11.30pm
We gratefully acknowledge Ambu Limited UK for their generous equipment support in the delivery of this course
