About this project

Language and communication is a critical and often overlooked component of successful airway management. Critical language provides clarity of thought, reduces cognitive load and enhances teamwork through a shared mental model. Being able to use language concisely and efficiently to drive effective action and teamwork is an important part your airway training.

Within the PAC learning spaces we’ve begun the “Critical Language Compendium” to help. Click on any highlighted term within a learning space and get a clear definition and a short discussion or insight about the critical language being defined by an experienced airway expert. Then follow the links at the bottom of each page to see its use in the context of clinical care.

“The term ‘critical language’ refers to standardized communication in which specific terms or phrases have a clear, mutually agreed meaning. It is employed in healthcare and other high reliability industries to avoid ambiguity, flatten hierarchies and improve team situation awareness. Ideally it should not only improve clarity of communication but also trigger cognitive links to key priorities and actions required.”

Critical Airways, Critical Language – N. Chrimes and T. M. Cook

Department of Anaesthesia, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia, and 2Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath BA12 3NG, UK

the Role of Critical Language in Airway management