EQUIPMENT GUIDE

The Macgrath VL is so common it's practically the Toyota Corolla of video laryngoscopes. Its sheer popularity has made it the most affordable and efficient on-the-go intubation device out there. Plus, the disposables won't break the bank either.

 

With a battery life of 250 minutes per battery, you'll need replacements, but there are mission field workarounds that keep this device ticking along.

Other options like the Glide Scope Go, CoPilot, King Vision, and Storz CMAC are still in use but can be pricey and inefficient when compared to more cost-effective choices like the Macgrath VL.

 

If your hospital system needs a cart version, an older Verathon Glide Scope is just as effective clinically and costs a fraction of the newest model. Why spend more when you can get the same performance for less?

For those trickier cases, having a fiber-optic intubation scope on hand is always a good idea. The Olympus fiber-optic scope is the gold standard, with several variations to suit both pediatric and adult patients. In the mission field, you can even rig it to attach to a phone for recorded intubations. Fiber-optic scopes have the added advantage of being able to go deeper, making them perfect for bronchoscopy and fiber-optic nasal intubations.

 

By selecting the right tools and understanding their capabilities, you can ensure efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality care in both everyday and challenging medical situations.