Emergency Procedure

Review before each surgical intubation.

At the first sign of a tracheal tube fire, immediately and rapidly:

 1.  Disconnect the breathing circuit from the tracheal tube.

 2.  Remove the tracheal tube.

• Have another team member extinguish it.

• Remove cuff-protective devices and any segments of burned tube that may remain smoldering in the airway.

3.  Care for the patient.

• Reestablish the airway and resume ventilating with air until certain that nothing is left burning in the airway; then switch to 100% oxygen.

• Examine the airway to determine the extent of damage, and treat the patient accordingly.

Save involved materials and devices for later investigation.