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Airway Team Communication

Team communication

Airway team communication

Brief, closed-loop language for preparation, the attempt, plan changes, handoff, and debrief.

Complete · clear · brief · timely · respectful. Use a named receiver and close the loop.

1Before the attempt20-second airway brief

“Team, airway timeout. Operator __; backup operator __; BVM/oxygenation __; suction __; medications __; monitor/timer __. Plan A __. Stop/switch trigger __; then oxygenate and move to Plan B __. Plan C __. Major physiologic risk __; rescue __.”

  • Use one leader and named roles.
  • State the primary plan, rescue plans, and the trigger for changing strategy.
  • Pause for acknowledgment before medications are given.
2During the attemptCall-outs and check-backs

Task: “Alex, prepare __.” → “Preparing __.” → “Correct.”
Medication: “Alex, medication __; dose __; route __.” The receiver repeats the medication, dose, units, and route; the sender confirms or corrects.

  • Direct important requests to a named person or role.
  • Call out critical observations so the whole team shares the same picture.
  • A request is not complete until it is acknowledged and confirmed.
3When the plan changesFailed-attempt reset and speak-up language

“Stop. Oxygenate. Plan A failed because __. We are changing __. New operator/device/position/tube-delivery strategy __. Plan B starts now. Prepare Plan C and call additional help.”

  • Declare the transition aloud; do not let the next attempt happen by drift.
  • Name at least one meaningful change before the next attempt.
  • Any team member can say, “Stop—safety concern.” The leader pauses and asks for the concern.
4After airway placementClosed-loop handoff

“Tube depth and confirmation __. Secured __. Attempts/difficulty __. Ventilation/oxygenation __. Analgesia and sedation __. Hemodynamics __. Pending reassessment or contingency __. Airway responsibility transfers to __.”

  • The receiving clinician acknowledges the transfer and repeats key contingencies.
  • Leave time for questions and clarify who now owns reassessment.
5After the event60-second debrief

“What helped? What slowed us or increased risk? What should change next time? Is there an equipment or system issue? Name one action and one owner.”

  • Capture the learning point without patient identifiers.
  • Escalate equipment or systems problems rather than letting the lesson evaporate at shift change.
Open no-PHI learning capture
↗Sources and related toolsCommunication framework and airway planning
AHRQ TeamSTEPPS communication toolsClosed-loop communicationCall-outsCheck-backs / repeat-backsHandoffsDifficult Airway Society 2025 adult intubation guidelinesAirway of the Month checklist
About this resource
Website creator: Kyle Brown, MD Airway educational contributors: Andrew Pirotte, MD; Kyle Brown, MD; Reba Hodge, MD; Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP; Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP; Joshua Mohess Clinical review: Emergency medicine faculty review completed. Medication content reviewed by Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP, and Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP. Last reviewed: 2026-07-23 Next scheduled review: 2027-01-23 Designed for: EM residents, emergency physicians, EMS clinicians, airway educators, and simulation faculty Important: Educational resource and clinical-reference guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment. Website contact: [email protected]