Dec 03, 2008

The use of tracheal tubes is necessary in many medical situations. Now a new ASTM International standard covers basic safety and essential performance requirements for fixation devices for tracheal tubes. The standard, F2726, Specification for Fixation Devices for Tracheal Tubes and Other Airway Devices, was developed by Subcommittee F29.12 on Airways, Bronchoscopes and Laryngoscopes, part of ASTM International Committee F29 on Anesthetic and Respiratory Equipment.

Susan Dorsch is an F29 member and co-author (along with her husband, Jerry) of the textbook, Understanding Anesthesia Equipment. While conducting research for the latest edition of the book, she began to speculate on how inadvertent intubation, one of the major hazards of intubation, might be lessened by improvements in the methods used to attach these devices to the patient. Subcommittee F29.12 decided to pursue the development of a standard that covers safety and performance requirements for fixation devices designed to be attached to the head, face or mouth of a patient and equipped with a means to secure and stabilize a tracheal tube or other airway device in its intended position.

ASTM International standards are available for purchase from Customer Service (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/) or at www.astm.org.

For technical Information, contact Susan Dorsch, Orange Park, Fla. (phone: 904-264-2039; jdors556@bellsouth.net). Committee F29 meets next during the May committee week in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. For ASTM meeting or membership information, contact Stephen Mawn, ASTM International (phone: 610-832-9726; smawn@astm.org).

Release #8114/Dec08