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Airway of the MonthRead the patient. Rescue the airway. Run the room.
Airway of the MonthRead the patient. Rescue the airway. Run the room.
Airway situation
Postoperative Neck Hematoma Airway
Neck hematoma can rapidly compress the airway; decompression may be life-saving.
neck hematomapostoperativesurgical airway
Clinical-use limit: Educational resource and cognitive-aid guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment.
Case management cards
Tap each card to reveal the focused answer. The four cards match the airway workflow: before, during, after, and pitfalls.
Related resources
Airway situationsTube-in patient worseQuick HitsReferences and anchors
ACEP adult ED intubation clinical policyACEP rapid-sequence intubation policy statementACEP mechanical ventilation policy statementAbout this resource
Created by: Andrew Pirotte, MD; Kyle Brown, MD; Reba Hodge, MD; Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP; Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP; Joshua Mohess
Clinical review: Clinical review pending: local ED, ICU, EMS, anesthesia, pharmacy, and pediatric protocol review recommended before bedside teaching rollout.
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 cognitive-aid guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment.
Website contact: kybrown@kumc.edu