Airway Device Evaluation Project Team (ADEPT)

Summary

The aim of the Airway Device Evaluation Project Team (ADEPT) is to establish a process by which the airway-management community within the profession could lead a process of formal device/equipment evaluation.

There is increasing number of airway management devices being introduced into clinical practice with little or no evidence of their clinical efficacy or safety. While there are several national and international regulations governing which products can come on to the market and be legitimately sold, there has hitherto been no formal professional guidance relating to how products should be selected (purchased).

ADEPT has formulated such advice, emphasising evidence based principles and defined a minimum level of evidence needed to make a pragmatic decision about the purchase or selection of an airway device.

ADEPT advises that this definition should form the basis of a professional standard, guiding those with responsibility for selecting airway devices. This paper, published by Anaesthesia journal, describes how widespread adoption of this professional standard can act as a driver to create an infrastructure in which the required evidence can be obtained.