Court's in session: airway emergencies

Our Court's in Session series walks you through the unfolding events of a clinical crisis as they are reported by the state coroner, examining examining key clinical decisions, missed opportunities, and the systems that failed.

In this session led by Susie Helmerich, an experienced ICU nurse and clinical educator,  we explore the lessons learned from a tragic coronial investigation of an airway emergency. With discussion points highlighting the critical importance of teamwork, communication, and effective airway management techniques, particularly in paediatric cases where unique anatomical challenges exist.

Key topics include the significance of pre-assessment, the use of waveform capnography for confirming tube placement, and the necessity of having a clear plan for emergencies. The session highlights the need for continuous training and adherence to safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Put yourself into the shoes of the clinicians involved to gain insight into how you might react, and develop your decision making skills in a crisis Whether you’re an anaesthetist, perioperative nurse, paramedic, GP providing sedation, or part of a rural health team delivering procedural care, this session provides crucial insights to improve safety in your setting.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Describe the clinical and systemic factors identified in the coronial findings of misplaced endotracheal tube during intubation

• Recognise early indicators of airway mismanagement, including capnography trends and desaturation.

• Apply structured confirmation and escalation protocols during intubation and perioperative airway emergencies.

• Reflect on team dynamics, supervision responsibilities, and system safety to prevent future adverse outcomes.

Course Details

Format: recorded webinar with stop-point polls to apply your knowledge

Audience: perioperative and critical care nurses, procedural GPs, and paramedics

CPD: one hour of CPD including post-session evaluation and reflective question 

Access: Available on-demand for 12 months

Testimonials

Very informative, great reminder of certain things or the small things we tend to overlook. Wonderful presenter.

Using a real case scenario helps bring the message home.

I really like the interactive questions and each response discussed along with its merit and advantages/disadvantages.

Clear concise. Relevant to work. Presenter very knowledgeable. Case covered is a good learning scenario to learn from.

This is a Medcast Continuing Medical Education (CME) course.