2nd OXFORD REGION AIRWAY GROUP MEETING
1.Introduction
2.Feedback from One month airway audit of trainees in Oxford deanery
a. Following the presentation by Dr Smithies, there was a discussion on the implications arising from this audit. It was recognised that trainees were doing a reasonable number of LMAs and endotracheal intubations, but that advanced airway procedures were very limited. Discussion from several members emphasised the dilemma that until RCA competency document made certain skills essential rather than desirable, there was no concrete way of ensuring that pressure was brought to bear on trainers and departments to facilitate this training.b. Several members suggested using RITAs and trainees own logbooks to get a wider snapshot of trainees airway activites, although this would be retrospective.
3. ORAG research activities
Dr Benham brought Dr Marfins apologies to the group. He mentioned that there were several research projects currently ongoing in the region, and that there was a planned multi centre project looking at disposable supraglottic devices currently undergoing ethics approval. Dr Frerk knew of several people nationwide who would be interested in getting involved in such a project. Dr Benham emphasised to trainees, in particular, that ORAG consultant would welcome interest from trainees to support research and audit activities.
4. Oxford Regional Airway Website
Dr Rangasami reminded the group that the website was under construction, but wanted to have more help before going live with it. At present there is simply a list of the hospitals in the ORAG, but there is space for much more. It was agreed that if individual members were willing to have their email addresses put on the website, this would be done. Dr Frerk reminded us of the dangers of having websites displayed on the internet, and thew possibility of attracting vast amounts of unwanted and spam emails. It was agreed that only with the individual(and in some cases their hospitals consent) would these addresses be posted on the website. There was also the agreement that research activities could be displayed there. The site can now be visited at www.orag.co.uk/testing
5. ORAG courses updates
a. Dr Benham informed the group that there would be an Oxford Difficult Airway Workshop on 9th March 2006. The need for this workshop was not discussed further, but will be reviewed depending on the interest it receives
b. Dr Benham informed the group that a third ‘Training the Trainers’ in Airway Management course in would follow the workshop on 10th March 2006 and invited any interested from ORAG to come along to that.
c. Dr Popat informed the group that SHO Airway Day, which Dr J Thompson and Dr Popat had organised at the request of the STC for all SHOs in the region would be repeated this year.
d. Dr Bokhari has been running a course for medical students/house officers at the Horton for several years, and reported that it was continuing to be very popular. She gave a short presentation at the beginning of the business meeting, and encouraged others to contact her for details of her course if they wanted.