Expert Consensus on Perioperative Physician-Pharmacist Airway Co-Management

Abstract

Background: Airway management during the perioperative period is a vital component of perioperative care. However, there is a lack of consensus on the selection of medications, timing of administration, and the management of airway complications. This consensus aimed to promote a more rational and standardized application of airway management medications.

Methods: Clinical medical and pharmaceutical experts were invited to participate in this study using the modified Delphi method. Participants completed two rounds of online surveys, with the second round based on the responses from the first round.

Results: Participants (n = 42) reached a consensus on 11 clinical issues and formed 11 recommendations for clinical practice, each with a consensus degree of more than 80%. The recommendations covered aspects of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors evaluation, along with crucial points of medication monitoring in preventing and treating perioperative pulmonary complications.

Conclusions: The modified Delphi method resulted in consensus recommendations for the perioperative physician-pharmacist airway co-management. We hope this consensus will prevent pulmonary complications and improve patient outcomes through collaborative discussions between physicians and pharmacists.

Keywords: Delphi method; airway co‐management; consensus; perioperative; pharmaceutical care.