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Airway management skills and devices on Italian helicopter emergency medical service: a national survey
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Airway management skills and devices on Italian helicopter emergency medical service: a national survey
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Journal Article
Airway management skills and devices on Italian helicopter emergency medical service: a national survey
2026
Overview
Background
Airway management is a critical priority for HEMS teams, as failure to secure the airway remains a major determinant of mortality and long-term disability. The present study was designed to evaluate the variability of advanced airway management devices and medications availability across all HEMS units in Italy. In addition, crew composition and specialty training of HEMS personnel were assessed. As a whole, this survey aims at highlighting areas for improvement of airway management during HEMS operations.
Methods
This observational cross-sectional study was carried out between May and September 2024. A web-based questionnaire was distributed to all active HEMS bases in Italy. The questionnaire consisted of two main sections: Section A addressed the availability of basic and advanced airway management equipment and medications, whereas Section B focused on crew characteristics, including number, role, experience, and training. A composite index to capture “airway preparedness” (API) was designed based on Difficult Airway Society 2025 guidelines. Selected items were assigned a weighted value and the final score ranged 0–40.
Results
Of 55 active HEMS bases, 48 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 87%). Manual ventilation devices, a direct laryngoscope, a complete set of Macintosh adult blades, an end-tidal CO₂ monitoring device, and supraglottic airway devices were consistently available. A videolaryngoscope was present in most bases (39, 81%). Either surgical or Seldinger cricothyroidotomy kits were present in 94%. Medications for rapid sequence intubation were universally available, although sugammadex was stocked in only 36 bases (75%). A physician was present in all surveyed units (100%). However, specific training in airway management was not provided in 37 bases (77%), and 44% did not require a minimum number of prior endotracheal intubations for new personnel. Only 13 bases (27%) reported the adoption of airway management guidelines for prehospital care. The mean ± SD national API was 25.7 ± 7.4, ranging from a regional mean of 37 ± 1.4 to a regional mean of 11.2 ± 5.3.
Conclusion
The study demonstrated substantial heterogeneity in equipment, personnel background, and training across Italian HEMS bases. Although only few bases reported adherence to specific guidelines, the devices and medications recommended in the literature for the management of unexpected difficult airways were widely available.
Publisher
BioMed Central,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
Subject
