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Prospective observational study of emergent endotracheal intubation practice in the intensive care unit and emergency department of an A ustralian regional tertiary hospital
Author(s) -
Phillips Luke,
Orford Neil,
Ragg Michael
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
emergency medicine australasia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1742-6723
pISSN - 1742-6731
DOI - 10.1111/1742-6723.12257
Subject(s) - medicine , intubation , emergency department , observational study , midazolam , fentanyl , emergency medicine , intensive care unit , anesthesia , propofol , adverse effect , endotracheal intubation , prospective cohort study , intensive care medicine , sedation , surgery , nursing
Objective The present study aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of intubation occurring in the ICU and ED of an Australian tertiary teaching hospital. Methods This was a prospective observational study of intubation practice across the G eelong Hospital over a 6 month period from 1 A ugust 2012 to 31 J anuary 2013. Data were entered by the intubating team through an online data collection form. Results There were 119 patients intubated and 134 attempts at intubation in the ED and ICU over a 6 month period. The first‐pass success rate was 104/119 (87.4%), and all but a single patient was intubated by the second attempt. Propofol, fentanyl, midazolam and suxamethonium were the most common drugs used in rapid sequence induction. AEs were reported in 44/134 (32.8%) of intubation attempts, with transient hypoxia and hypotension being the most common. A significant adverse outcome, namely aspiration pneumonitis, occurred in one patient. There were no peri‐intubation deaths. Conclusion The majority of airways are managed by ICU and ED consultants and trainees, with success rates and AE rates comparable with other published studies.