Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) Skill Sheet

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Bold greyed out areas in order)

• Therapeutic Effects

• Indications

• Contraindications

• Side Effects

• Student will demonstrate use of equipment/procedure

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Therapeutic Effects) 1.

1. To establish a patent and protected airway

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Indications) 1.

1. Any unresponsive patient without a gag reflex

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Indications) 2.

2. Patient not likely to regain consciousness

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Contraindications) 1.

1. Patients with an intact gag reflex

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Contraindications) 2.

2. Trismus (Lock Jaw)

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Side Effects) 1.

1. Gag reflex stimulation and vomiting

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Side Effects) 2.

2. Air leak during ventilation due to inadequate depth of I-Gel insertion

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Side Effects) 3.

3. Gastric distention

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 1.

1. Take and verbalize Standard Precautions

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 2.

2. With an OPA already in place, ventilate with 100% O2, at the appropriate adult rate. (student will connect tubing to regulator attached to O2 bottle, set proper flow rate, and ventilate once)

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 3.

3. Student will verbalize that partner will take over ventilations, at the appropriate rate for 2 minutes

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 4.

4. Select appropriate size I-Gel based on patient’s body weight. There are 3 adult sizes: 3,4, & 5

a. Example: Size 4 - GREEN - Medium Adult - 50-90kg

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) Note (After 4.)

Note: Student will ask for patient’s weight and calculate lbs to kg (estimate) to determine proper tube size

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 5.

5. Remove I-Gel from the protective cradle and apply water-soluble lubricant to the back, sides, and front of cuff

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 6.

6. Place I-Gel back in protective cradle

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 7.

7. Place tube holder under patients’ neck

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 8.

8. Position the head in either the “sniffing” position or “neutral” position and remove the OPA

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 9.

9. Open the patient’s mouth by pressing down gently on the chin. With the other hand, insert the I-Gel into the mouth in a direction towards the hard palate

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 10.

10. Using a continuous but gentle push, insert along the hard palate until definitive resistance is felt and the teeth are resting on the integral bite block at the indicator mark

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 11.

11. Do not let go of the tube!

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 12.

12. While providing consecutive ventilations, have partner confirm I-Gel placement with stethoscope:

a. Partner will first listen for epigastric sounds (should be negative)

b. Partner will then listen for bilateral lung sounds (should be present and equal)

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 13.

13. While still holding the tube in place, have partner take over ventilations at the appropriate rate so the tube can be secured.

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 14.

14. Maintain slight inward pressure of the tube and properly secure with the tube holder.

Supraglottic Airway (I-GEL) (Demonstration) 15.

15. Once the tube is secured, resume ventilations at the appropriate rate.