Frequently Asked Questions

Certainly. It is the unexpected difficult airway that provides the greatest challenges. Employing the HELP^® for every induction, the clinician can be confident they will achieve optimal tidal volumes, preoxygenation and laryngoscopy.

Every elevation pillow is marked with indicators to show where the patient’s shoulders should rest. The headpiece is then placed under the head so that it cradles the head and allows it to rest back in the conventional ‘sniff’ position.

It dramatically reduces  the risks associated with difficult airway scenarios.

It improves FRC in the obese or obstetric patient.

It allows easy manual ventilation of the obese or obstetric patient with normal tidal volumes.

It provides a comfortable position for awake or sedated patients undergoing regional anaesthesia.

It eliminates the need for ward pillows and provides a more hygienic, hypoallergenic clinical base.

The Oxford HELP^® is especially valuable for inexperienced anaesthetists especially those working alone, out of hours or in a remote clinical areas, but it is also used extensively by senior anaesthetists who appreciate its clinical value and contribution to patient safety.

Patients with unstable cervical vertebrae should not be placed on the Oxford HELP^®. Otherwise, this device is compatible for any surgical procedure including laparoscopic procedures.

The full system can be provided with arm supports with integrated straps which fit on top of standard operating table arm boards. There is also the Oxford Sinus which is a bolster to prevent hyperextension of the knees. The small Cuneo wedge can be used in numerous locations but specifically prevents damage to the brachial plexus where the shoulders are left unsupported due to the spinal ridge of adipose tissue in the hyper obese.

Yes

Not at all. It also facilitates departmental savings by reducing the use of fibre-optic scopes, disposable difficult airway devices for example Airtraq.

Here in the UK.

Tilting the table helps with FRC but does not realign the anatomy in order to guarantee the perfect laryngoscopy nor does it provide an ergonomically ideal environment for female or shorter anaesthetists.

The Oxford HELP^® can be cleaned as per the recommendations of the department’s infection control policy.

Yes.

This device is used throughout NHS and private hospitals in the UK. It is mainly used in anaesthetic departments but is found in ICU and A&E departments. There are many hospitals abroad using the Oxford HELP^®.

Yes. This device features in the DAS NAP4 report. It is also cited in a number of textbooks and journals.

As long as it takes procurement to organise it. We have the HELP^® in stock and ready to go.