Saint Mary’s ED physician hosts Emergency Surgical Airways class to EMT’s and First Responders

Wesley Kyle, M.D., Emergency Department physician and Director of Emergency Medical Services conducts a lecture to paramedics and first responders on performing a "cric."

Wesley Kyle, M.D., Emergency Department physician and the Director of Emergency Medical Services at Saint Mary’s, recently conducted a lecture, didactic and hands-on instruction on performing emergent cricothyrotomies (surgical airway) at Saint Mary’s. This typically once-in-a-career event for a paramedic, is a high stakes scenario of literally life or death for a patient. The procedure itself isn't that complicated, but the decision to do it, is where most struggle. A majority of the lecture was focused on building confidence in the indications and anatomy so that the paramedic can proceed without hesitation when a patient needs a "cric.” Dr. Kyle, a Battalion Surgeon in the Army National Guard, was joined by combat medics from the Connecticut Army National Guard who provided hands on demonstration and instruction.

An important aspect of this surgical airway procedure is the continued self-learning and regular practice. Traditionally instructors have used pig trachea and other animal airways to train, but the anatomy isn't exactly like a human. For this educational event, Dr. Kyle enlisted the help of a Trinity Health Of New England Mobile Healthcare colleague, Adrienne Schultz, who has a degree in biomedical engineering, specifically with prothesis development. After Adrienne was provided with the specifications, she created 3-D printed human tracheas that can be practiced on over and over. A 3-D model was provided to each of the paramedics to take home so that they can practice routinely after the lecture and instruction.

“I've heard of some doctors setting a reminder on their phone every three months or so to break out their 3-D model and train for five minutes so that they maintain proficiency in the extremely rare but high stakes procedure,” said Dr. Kyle.

The Emergency Surgical Airway lecture was held in Saint Mary’s auditorium on October 18 and was attended by 50 paramedics and first responders from areas in and around greater Waterbury.

“It's wonderful to teach and work with such motivated EMT's and Paramedics who are constantly looking to improve their craft of practicing emergency medicine,” said Dr. Kyle. “Additionally, this lecture and the numerous educational opportunities we have planned moving forward would not be possible without the significant investment and support from David Koscuk, President of Trinity Health Of New England Mobile Healthcare, and Husnain Kermalli, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Saint Mary’s Hospital. They have both made it clear that they are willing to prioritize EMS education initiatives in any way possible.”