Aspiration

🔑 Key Priorities

  • Minimise further contamination

  • Secure airway and maintain oxygenation

🧠 Team Actions

Role

Task

Team Leader

Directs sequence and decision to intubate

Airway Manager

Suction, intubate, ventilate

Drug Assistant

Prepare RSI drugs, suction equipment

🧭 Management Algorithm

  1. Call for help

  2. Head down, left lateral position

  3. Suction mouth and pharynx

  4. Cricoid pressure if vomiting stops

  5. Administer suxamethonium 1–2mg/kg IV

  6. Intubate and suction below vocal cords

  7. Confirm ETT placement and ventilate with 100% Oâ‚‚

  8. Monitor for hypoxia or bronchospasm

  9. Consider bronchoscopy if particulate matter suspected

  10. ICU referral if hypoxia, desaturation, or ARDS risk

🔄 Ideal Crisis Flow

            Aspiration Event
                ↓
    Position, Suction, Cricoid Pressure
                ↓
          RSI with Suction-Ready Intubation
                ↓
    Ventilate + Assess for Bronchospasm/ARDS
                ↓
         ICU Referral as Required

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