According to experts, only one out of every 2,200 surgical patients presents a difficult airway or airway failure situation during induction. The ironclad clinical maxim of preparing for the worst-case scenario in all cases holds true, however, and every anesthesia provider is familiar with the instruments needed to rescue a patient. ("How to Manage A Difficult Airway" in August's Manager's Guide to Ambulatory Anesthesia provides a review.)