- Given their risk, the use of a throat pack should be justified - most indications are surgical
- These include:
- To prevent air leak e.g. in paediatric patient with uncuffed tube
- To absorb blood and prevent formation of 'coroner's clot'
- To prevent GI absorption of blood and subsequent PONV
- To absorb/catch debris to prevent soiling of lower airway or causing airway obstruction at extubation
- To facilitate surgical access, haemostasis or airway protection
- To absorb liquid nasal vasoconstrictors
Throat Packs
Throat Packs
Resources
- A 2009 National Patient Safety Agency report shone the spotlight on throat packs, with a series of recommendations to reduce the risk associated with their use
- Seeing as a retained throat pack is a never event, and the airway is the anaesthetist's domain, these risk-reducing steps are fair exam game
- Avoid the use of throat pack altogether!
- Should be inserted by the surgeon and removed by the same individual
- Should have two forms of confirmation of placement, for example a combination of:
- Visual prompt e.g. sticker on patient's forehead, or on the airway
- Documentary evidence e.g. insertion and removal recorded on swab count board, or anaesthetic chart
- Two - person confirmation of insertion and removal
- Attach the pack to the artificial airway
- Leave part of the pack protruding so it is visible