Kristin talks with Eric Carlson, MSN, CRNA who shares a gripping personal tale of managing an unexpected difficult airway during an emergency Cesarean section.  Eric found himself in a “cannot intubate/cannot ventilate” situation which evolved into performing a cricothyrotomy followed by a surgical airway.  Eric’s vulnerability, humility and professionalism in bringing this story forward is astounding.  Don’t miss his account of what happened and the personal and professional ramifications of those involved in this difficult situation.

Eric Carlson, MSN, CRNA has been a practicing CRNA for over 30 years.  He did his anesthesia training at the University of George Washington and was recruited into the Air Force to continue his anesthesia training.  He worked as a CRNA for the Air Force at Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi, Mississippi and then pursued employment at All Care Clinical Associates in Asheville, NC, where he currently works.

Topics Discussed:

* Personal case study of a difficult airway during an emergent C-section

* Decision making in emergencies

* Communication strategies in emergencies

* Challenges faced during this particular case

* Legal ramifications

* Algorithms for airway management

* Benefits to advanced airway training

 

 

Update, June 2015:

This interview was posted by the North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists in an email on 15 May 2015 to members titled “Spotlight on CRNAs” where a North Carolina CRNA is introduced at greater depth to the membership.  Of note, Eric was interviewed by Dustin Degman, CRNA, who has also contributed to our podcast in the Combat Trauma Anesthesia series.  In the interview, Dustin talks with Eric about his experience with the difficult airway case that he speaks to in the show featured on this page.  This interview is posted with the permission of the NCANA.

 

Eric Carlson, CRNA

Interviewed by Dustin Degman, CRNA

You were recently on the pod cast “From the Head of the Bed” where you explained a case that, I guess you could say, changed the way you practice today. You got to give your history, the beginning of the scenario, and there was a moment that you said “I had a difficult airway case”. I must tell you that I was completely locked-in at that moment. Nothing was going to distract me from listening to the next 25 minutes. What I want to ask is, what about that event changed you most, either as a person or in practice?

This is a challenging question to answer. I am sure the event changed me both as a person and a CRNA practitioner. At the time of the event, I was very early in my career and riding high in self confidence. The event changed my level of confidence and reinforced the significance of the risks we take as CRNAs performing our job every day. I had to actively work on rebuilding my confidence over the ensuing months, slowly, I was able to regain some of the loss, but for better or for worse, I probably did not get back to the level I had been. In the long run, I think it made me a better CRNA because I realized that bad things can occur in our line of work at any time and you always need to have a back-up plan in mind. Be prepared for the unexpected. As a person, the event may have made me a more humble individual and helped me realize that we are all susceptible to very challenging occurrences in our profession.

People, who know you, know that you are a wonderful provider. Your patients, colleagues, and the students really look up to you. Is there something you would like to share about being a great mentor?

I appreciate the feedback and compliment. I consider myself very fortunate to have made the decision to become a CRNA more than 30 years ago. We all have many forks in the road when we have to make a choice t...