Endotracheal intubation kit consists of a set of instruments used to create a free airway in the upper and lower respiratory tract for safe ventilation of the lungs. The kit consists of instruments for both adults and children and the quantities are estimated for 50 patients. The kit can be used in health care facilities with an ICU in a low, middle and high resource settings and the facility must have a ventilator.  

The solution has been adapted from Redcross, MSD manuals and National Library of Medicines.  

Endotracheal intubation is an emergency procedure, that is performed during general anesthesia prior to surgery or in critically ill patients to assist breathing. During this procedure, a flexible plastic tube is placed into the patient’s trachea through mouth or nose to open airway and prevent suffocation.  

Important; Intubation must be carried out by well-trained medical staff only. All reusable products should be thoroughly cleaned and either high-level disinfected or sterilized after each use.  

For infants and children ≥ 1 year, uncuffed tube size is calculated by (patient’s age + 16)/4; thus, a 4-year-old should have a (4 + 16)/4 = 5 mm endotracheal tube. The tube size suggested by this formula should be reduced by 0.5 (1 tube size) if a cuffed tube is to be used.  

Additional Information:  

Laryngoscope blades & handles: Laryngoscope blades are available in two different types and different sizes. Based on the requirement and patient’s age, blades should be selected. Laryngoscope blades and handles should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected or sterilized immediately after every single use. Between uses, laryngoscope blades and handles should be cleaned using running water and disinfected with enzymatic cleaner and enzymatic detergent solutions. However, ethylene oxide gas sterilization and steam sterilization are also recommended for laryngoscope systems.  

*The device batteries should be removed before cleaning and disinfecting procedures. 

Catheter forceps: Catheter forceps are used for grasping endotracheal tubes during intubation and different forceps sizes are included in the kit. Between uses, forceps should be disinfected via an autoclave or gas sterilization with ethylene oxide gas.  

Endotracheal tubes | Endotracheal tube guides | Endotracheal tube introducers: Most commonly used endotracheal tube sizes are included in the kit. However, selecting the correct tracheal tube size for a patient is the responsibility of clinician and will depend on anatomy and the design of the tube as well. Between uses, tracheal tubes should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with chlorhexidine followed by boiling for 2 minutes. However, steam sterilization is also recommended. 

Source:MSD Manuals & Redcross Catalogue