Staff across the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust have been recognised for maintaining the highest level of patient care in airway management.
The RUH came joint first in the Airway Team of the Year category at last week’s Guys Airway Management Course 2021, an international conference attended by over 12,000 delegates from 100 countries.
Airway management includes the procedures done to ensure oxygen can be delivered to the patients’ lungs when they are unconscious, whether during routine surgery or in an emergency.
A variety of airway devices and techniques may be used to achieve this and safe airway management is a cornerstone of anaesthesia, emergency medicine and critical care medicine.
The nomination for the award was made by Dr Fiona Kelly and Professor Tim Cook and is awarded to a wide range of departments in recognition of the commitment and hard work of staff in Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, Operating Theatres, Emergency Department, Sterile Services, Infection Prevention and Control, Procurement and Management.
Professor Cook said: “This is something we should all be extremely proud of. Airway management is at the heart of safety for elective anaesthesia and caring for the critically ill.
“For 20 years we have fostered a culture of teamwork, inclusivity and unity, promoting the safest patient-centred airway management and in doing so aimed to drive up and maintain the highest standards.”
Bath’s RUH has been widely recognised for its research and innovation in airway management.
In 2017 it was highlighted as the third most research-active department in the world in this area, and was the first hospital in the UK, and only the third in the world, to move entirely to video laryngoscopy to improve the safety of patient care during airway management.
Dr Kelly said: “It has been a true team effort over many years and we’re delighted that this hard work is now being recognised on a global platform.
“We will make sure we maintain this culture – patient safety can only be maintained by continuing to learn, educate and work as a team.
“To receive such a prestigious award is a massive achievement and is a reflection of everything that staff at the RUH have done to promote safe and high-quality airway management at the hospital.”
