J. D'Urbano's Page

First, and foremost, let me start off my saying I'm not a sales person of any kind. I am, however, an avid fan of airway management, as many of us are, so I thought I'd share with you my recent experiences with the GlideScope Video Laryngoscope.

I've been intubating patients for the better part of 15 years now. At my current place of employment my team performs approximately 2 thirds or more of the intubations that take place in the hospital (with the exception of the ope… Continue

Preface:
The subject of addiction is very complicated and very controversial, with strong opinions that venture off in many different directions. What is written here is of my own personal opinion, and that opinion has been formed based on my personal experiences, and research that I have done during my own personal time. This is a shortened version of one of the chapters of the book I’ve been trying to write for the past few years. I hope to have it completed by the middle of 2010. As always I… Continue

Capnography refers to the amount and concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) measured in exhaled gas. But to understand capnography you must first understand that oxygenation and ventilation are two entirely different parameters. While it’s true that they are both related to the respiratory system the two parameters are not related, nor is one affected by the other because they are referring to two very different mechanisms. Oxygenation refers to the amount of oxygen pr… Continue

Arterial Line Placement
The Battle of the Blood Vessel

Here’s the situation. You’re on duty, assigned to cover the surgery suites. You’re called to the pre-op area and asked to place an A-Line in a patient, who is a known vascularpath, going in for something like a carotid endarterectomy, or a femoral bypass. You put a pressure line together, you break out a sterile field with precision that would make the “Surgeon General” Bow to your presence, and you inject your patient with a small amount o… Continue