In the procedural performance challenge of emergency airway management, what can we do to manage our stress appropriately? We need to have the right mindset. By adjusting our perceptions (perceived demands versus abilities), we can reduce our overall performance stress. We need to consider and design our procedural (and team) processes in ways that recognize operator stress as a risk factor for error. When actually performing the procedures, we should factor in mechanics, ergonomics, lighting, and other environmental variables so we can do our best. We will address these solutions in future columns.

Dr. Levitan is an adjunct professor of emergency medicine at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine in Hanover, N.H., and a visiting professor of emergency medicine at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. He works clinically at a critical care access hospital in rural New Hampshire and teaches cadaveric and fiber-optic airway courses.

Dr. Asken is a clinical, health, and performance psychologist in Pennsylvania, and serves as an instructor and consultant for several national and regional organizations. He is a fellow of the Division of Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association.