Airway Management Devices to Experience Augmented Demand amidst COVID-19 Crisis

The novel COVID-19 Coronavirus disease which has upturned the entire world is a highly contagious virus. From government bodies to healthcare workers and police forces everyone serving during this pandemic are exposed to a higher risk of getting contaminated by infected people, hence, special care and attention to their protection is essential. Particularly, anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists are subjected to high-risk situations when dealing with the airway of infected patients: cough during laryngoscopy, oxygenation by bag-mask, and tracheal intubation & extubation. As a result, intensivists, anaesthesiologists, and other members of the airway management squad must be careful while performing tracheal intubation for COVID-19 infected patients.

Guidelines for Airway Management in the Operating Room during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cautious planning is required while treating COVID-19 infected people, and hence, an airway management device should be implemented in an airborne isolation room (negative pressure). Preventive measures such as airborne protections, hand hygiene, and donning complete, fluid impermeable personal protective equipment (PPE) with protected overshirt, double gloves, glasses, and filtering facepiece particles class 2 mask must be highly followed. Moreover, video laryngoscopy can be used by experts for carrying out tracheal intubation. In order to safeguard healthcare workers and decrease the risk of infection during airway management, numerous devices are been developed including transparent field over the patient, plexiglass box, protective helmet, and many more.

In addition, optimum pre-oxygenation, and fast sequence induction are suggested. Surgical cricothyroidotomy and supraglottic airways (SGA) must be considered for releasing airway obstruction. Whereas, face mask ventilation, high flow nasal oxygen, nebulisation, and small-bore cannula cricothyroidotomy with jet ventilation must be avoided.

Augmented Awareness and Demand for Airway Management Devices during COVID-19 Pandemic

It has been observed that many medical institutions and hospitals are using airway management devices in the treatment of COVID-19 patients; as this virus affects the lungs of an infected person to a greater extent, it causes respiratory issues in the patient. While treating COVID-19 patients, the airway management devices are been used enormously to avert and get relief from airway obstructions. Most of the airway management device manufacturers have augmented their production to cope up with the rising demand for airway management devices.

Airway Management Device Market Booming Like Never Before!

The sudden outbreak of COIVD-19 pandemic has resulted in a sudden upsurge in the demand for airway management devices, thus, imposing a positive impact on the growth rate of the global airway management device market, divulges a report published b Research Dive. As the number of people getting infected with the disease is growing, several healthcare centers are hugely opting for airway management devices for safeguarding the lives of COVID-19 infected patients. Some of the leading players in this market are focusing on inventing technologically advanced versions of these devices to offer more enhanced performance and help to healthcare professionals. For example, Israeli Medtech, a medical device company based in Israel has developed devices to prevent complications in mechanical ventilation, safeguard respiratory systems which decrease the ventilation complications in tubbed patients, and minimize the exposure of infection to healthcare teams. This respiratory guard system has been used in the treatment of patient kept on ventilators who are suffering from lung disorders.

Video laryngoscopes are also gaining much importance during this pandemic to treat chronic lung infections. As adequate number of ventilators are not available in most of the healthcare centers many medical device companies are joining hands to supply these devices as this is a necessity of this era.  Therefore, the market for airway management devices is predicted to reach newer heights during this havoc period.

The Bottom Line

The sudden spread of the COVID-19 disease was indeed very rapid and has stretched across several parts of the world. Healthcare professionals are the real heroes serving during this pandemic state and are putting their lives in danger while fighting for the wellbeing of numerous people infected with this deadly virus. Government bodies of many countries have made available different protective equipment and declared safety guidelines for the protection of clinical workers from this disease. In addition to the established protection rules, the use of airway management devices is given high propriety in the treatment of COVID-19 infected patients. These devices are indeed playing a crucial role in combating the deadly COVID-19 disease.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.