Course Prework
The Difficult Airway Course: Anesthesia was created by practicing international experts in Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Human Factors and based upon landmark publications that have materially advanced our understanding of difficult and failed airway management. This advanced program is designed to enhance existing skills in four crucial areas: difficult airway & awake intubation, failed airway & open cricothyrotomy, safe extubation & airway exchange catheters, and crisis team leadership & communication. Our hands-on, intensely interactive approach to learning emphasizes the evidence, reinforces skills and provides the assurance of being at the leading edge of airway management.

New attendance policy in effect for Fall 2021 courses. Click here for details.

Update (8/31): If you are interested in attending in San Diego, please join our waitlist to be contacted in the event we are able to increase capacity or there are last minute cancellations.

Upcoming Dates and Locations

Atlanta, GA
November 12 ‐ 14, 2021
Register

Course Fees:

Regular Tuition:
$1,500 USD
Gold Rate Tuition:
$1,200 USD
For Nurse Anesthetists and Anesthesiologist Assistants
Silver Rate Tuition:
$1,100 USD
For Residents, Fellows and SCP Health Medical Staff
Lung Separation Workshop:
$350 USD
Optional pre-course workshop

Tuition includes

The Airway Card™ Anesthesia.

2021 SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Cancellation Policy

2021 COVID Cancellation Policy

If Airway Management Education Center is required to cancel a course due to Federal or State COVID restrictions or other safety concerns, all attendees will receive a 100% refund. Alternatively, they may transfer to another course at no cost.

The standard Cancellation Fee ($100) will be waived for attendees who must cancel for COVID-related reasons.

Note: We are limiting enrollment this year, so it is vitally important that attendees alert us as soon as possible by calling 866-924-7929 if registration must be cancelled so we can allow another person to attend.

There will be no reschedule fees in 2021.

No refunds will be granted to those who do not attend the Course without having made prior arrangements for cancellation or transfer.

This is singularly the best CME course I have been to in my 25 years in practice! I believe this should become the ACLS for Airway and a requirement for all anesthesia residents to graduate their training program. Thank you!!

Jill A. Antoine, MD, Massachusetts

This was my third time in 10 years attending the course. I learn something new each time!

Thomas M. Toal, MD, Ithaca, NY

This is hands down the best CME event I’ve done in my 35 years as an anesthesiologist. Keep up the splendid work!

Michael Sopchak, MD, Pennsylvania

Setting the Standard

Thousands of physicians world-wide come to our course for intensive training in the most critical elements of difficult airway management. Highlights include:

  • Instruction by a world-class faculty of airway experts with an unparalleled passion for teaching.
  • Content, techniques and “pearls” that benefit even the most experienced providers.
  • Hands-on sessions featuring challenging Code AirwayTM stations.
  • Focus on difficult airway management, difficult extubation, failed airway management and crisis team leadership.
  • Dynamic and interactive learning environment.

Hands-on Training in Crucial Airway Techniques

  • Awake Intubation — When & How
  • Topical Anesthesia
  • Open Cricothyrotomy
  • Extubation and Tube Exchange
  • Crisis Team Leadership
  • Video Laryngoscopy
  • Flexible Endoscopic Intubation
  • Lighted and Fiberoptic Intubating Stylets and Guides
  • Techniques for the Obese Patient
  • Simulation Case Reinforcing Cognitive Information
  • Up-to-Date Evidence

Endorsed By:

Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of SCP Health and Airway Management Education Center. SCP Health is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA CME Credit

SCP Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 17.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

An additional 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM will be awarded for the Lung Separation Workshop.

AANA Prior Approval

This program has been prior approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists for 17.75 Class A CE credits; Code Number 1040827; Expiration Date 11/14/2021.

Lung Separation Workshop:  This program has been prior approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists for 3.50 Class A CE credits; Code Number 1040828; Expiration Date 11/14/2021.

NCCAA CME Credit

National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) will accept CME credit for programs approved for continuing education credit by the American Medical Association (AMA), American Association of Physicians Assistants (AAPA), and Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

ANZCA CPD Accreditation

Participants in the ANZCA and FPM CPD program may claim these courses as a CICO emergency response activity in their CPD portfolio. Recognition Code: ER-19-CICO-134; Expiration Date June 30, 2022.

Schedule Download PDF

2021 Typical Course Schedule (final schedule distributed on-site)

Day 1

Lung Separation Workshop (optional/pre-registration required)

6:30-7:30 am

Optional Workshop Registration/Continental Breakfast

7:30-8:00 am

Introduction to Lung Separation

8:00-11:15 am

Left-sided DLT placement, confirmation and troubleshooting.
Right-sided DLT placement, confirmation and troubleshooting.
Placement of Bronchial Blockers

The Difficult Airway Course: Anesthesia

11:00 – 11:45 am

Registration

11:45 - 12:15 pm

Course Introduction: Welcome and Standard of Care

12:15 - 12:55 pm

Difficult Airway Decisions

12:55 - 1:15 pm

Airway Anatomy

1:15 - 1:30 pm

Live Self-Scope Demonstration

1:30 - 1:45 pm

Break/Exhibits

1:45 - 2:45 pm

Difficult Airways & Awake Intubation

2:45 - 3:00 pm

Break/Exhibits

3:00 - 6:00 pm

Workshops:

Emergency Awake Intubation

Non-Emergency Awake Intubation

Management of the Difficult Airway/Awake Intubation

Day 2

6:30 - 7:30 am

Registration/Breakfast

Cornerstone: Managing the Failed Airway

7:30-8:30 am

Definition & Failed Algorithms/Failed Intubation & Failed Oxygenation
Break

8:30 - 8:45 am

Break

8:45 am – 10:15 pm

Workshops:
Management of the Failed Airway
Surgical Management of the Failed Airway

Case Discussions:
Failed Intubation/Failed Oxygenation

10:15 - 10:30 am

Break

10:30am - 12:00pm

Workshops:
Management of the Failed Airway
Surgical Management of the Failed Airway

Case Discussions:
Failed Intubation/Failed Oxygenation

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Lunch (provided)

Skills Practice

1:00 - 1:15 pm

Break

Cornerstone: Managing an Airway Crisis

1:15-2:15 pm

Crisis Leadership in Airway Management

2:15 – 2:30 pm

Break

2:30 – 5:00 pm

Code Airway™ Simulations

Day 3

Cornerstone: Endotracheal Tube Exchange & Extubation of the Difficult Airway

6:30-7:30 am

Registration/Continental Breakfast

7:30-8:30 am

Extubation and Airway Exchange Catheters

8:30-10:30 am

Case Discussions: Cases Using Airway Exchange Catheters
Workshop: Airway Exchange Catheters & Additional FOB

10:30-11:30 am

Interactive Exam Review and Final Wrap-up

"This is hands down the best CME event I've done in my 35 years as an anesthesiologist. Keep up the splendid work!"
Michael Sopchak, MD
Pennsylvania
"This course was excellent. A must for all anesthesiologists. The faculty was exceptional."
Richard T. Warner, MD
Connecticut
This was my third time in 10 years attending the course. I learn something new each time!
Thomas M. Toal, MD
Ithaca, NY
"Outstanding! Time and money very well spent. Knowledgeable and entertaining faculty."
Susan Cambria, CRNA
Connecticut
"Excellent course. I highly recommend it to all anesthesiologists. Anesthesia residents should take this course before graduating. Excellent faculty."
Albert Chuang, MD
California
"This is singularly the best CME course I have been to in my 25 years in practice! I believe this should become the ACLS for Airway and a requirement for all anesthesia residents to graduate their training program. Thank you!!"
Jill A. Antoine, MD
Massachusetts
"This course provides an excellent systematic approach to evaluating different airways. It is a great help to my practice."
Jerome Aul, MD
Virginia
"I hoped this was going to be the really top airway course out there — it was! Thanks."
Vincent Martinez, CRNA, MS
California

Purpose & Objectives

This course is designed to provide participants with state-of-the-art information and hands-on experience with the most critical elements of airway management to ensure effective and appropriate management of the airway. Upon successful completion of the course, the participant will be able to:
1
Perform an airway assessment to predict difficulty
2
Describe the key elements of the difficult airway.
3
Describe the steps of awake intubation.
4
Identify a failed airway, describe and perform an effective response.
5
Perform an emergency surgical airway.
6
Demonstrate safe extubation and tube exchange techniques, including use of airway exchange catheters.
7
Be aware of effective communication techniques, team leadership and other human factors to optimize airway management.
8
Identify airway management techniques for treating highly infectious viral patients.

Target Audience

The Difficult Airway Course: Anesthesia is intended for anesthesia-trained healthcare providers including
Anesthesiologists, Nurse Anesthetists and Anesthesiologist Assistants.

Endorsed by: