Moral considerations in non-EXIT airway management

Abstract

The case report "Management of the critical airway when an EXIT procedure is not an option" has important moral decision-making implications. If intubation was not quickly successful, then significant hypoxic brain injury may have resulted. A full discussion of the moral implications in cases such as this, prior to delivery, is important - both to the family and to the clinicians involved. Our contemporary era is characterised by a pronounced disparity of values and belief systems. An active process for moral decision-making based upon dialogic consensus, is seen as more appropriate than contemplation of ethical frameworks alone. This is increasingly important as the armamentarium of life-sustaining technology available to clinicians steadily increases.

Keywords: Airway management; Ethics; Morals.