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Use of Polarized Sunglasses During Video Laryngoscopy: A Cause of Difficult Prehospital Intubation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2019

Adam James Smith ,
Ken Jackimczyk ,
Bruce Horwood  and
Daniel Christenson
Adam James Smith*
Affiliation:
Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, ArizonaUSA
Ken Jackimczyk
Affiliation:
Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, ArizonaUSA Air Methods, Greenwood Village, ColoradoUSA The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, Phoenix, ArizonaUSA
Bruce Horwood
Affiliation:
Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, ArizonaUSA Air Methods, Greenwood Village, ColoradoUSA The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, Phoenix, ArizonaUSA
Daniel Christenson
Affiliation:
Davis County Sheriff’s Department, Farmington, UtahUSA
*
Correspondence: Adam James Smith, MD 2252 N 44th St #2099 Phoenix, Arizona 85008 USA E-mail: adam.smith0213@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background

In the prehospital setting, many providers advocate for video laryngoscopy as the initial method of intubation to improve the likelihood of a successful first attempt. However, bright ambient light can worsen visualization of the video laryngoscope liquid crystal display (LCD).

Case Report

A patient involved in a motor vehicle accident was evaluated by an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) crew. Initial endotracheal intubation attempt using video laryngoscopy was aborted after the patient desaturated. The primary reason for the failure was poor visualization of the video laryngoscope LCD, despite attempts to block direct sunlight. Debriefing revealed that the intubating provider was wearing polarized sunglasses.

Discussion

Because LCDs emit polarized light, use of polarized sunglasses may cause the display to appear dark. Thus, the purpose of this Case Report is to raise awareness of a potential safety issue that is likely under-recognized by prehospital providers but can be easily avoided.

SmithAJ, JackimczykK, HorwoodB, ChristensonD. Use of Polarized Sunglasses During Video Laryngoscopy: A Cause of Difficult Prehospital IntubationPrehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(1):104–107.

Keywords

difficult intubationliquid crystal displaypolarized lensesprehospital intubationvideo laryngoscopy
Type
Case Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , pp. 104 - 107
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2019 

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Footnotes

Conflicts of interest: none

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