Document Detail


Prehospital rapid sequence intubation in an emergency medical services system with two advanced life support providers.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20845322     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: A rapid sequence intubation (RSI) method was introduced to a university-based emergency medical services (EMS) system. This is a report of the initial experience with the first 50 patients in a unique, two-tiered, two advanced life support (ALS) providers system.
METHODS: The data were evaluated prospectively after an extensive RSI training period, consisting of didactic information and skills performance. Fifty consecutive patient records that documented the procedure were abstracted. Data abstracted included end-tidal CO2, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry at various time intervals. Intubation success rates and number of attempts were documented. The consistency of proper documentation also was noted on patient care records.
RESULTS: No differences were noted in heart rate prior to RSI and one and five minutes after the RSI procedure was begun. No differences in blood pressure at one and five minutes were noted. Statistically significant improvements were found in pulse oximetry comparing prior to RSI and one minute after (p<0.001; 95% CI: 3.15-11.41) as well as prior to RSI and five minutes after RSI was started (p<0.0002; 95% CI=4.60-13.33). No differences were observed in end-tidal CO2 at one and five minutes. Overall intubation success rate was 96%, with 82% on first attempt and 92% on two or less attempts. Documentation for individual vitals was consistently <75%.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients had no significant worsening of vital signs during the RSI procedure and mild improvement in pulse oximetry. Intubation success rates were consistent with national averages. Proper documentation was lacking in more than one quarter of the charts. These data add to a body of literature that raises further concerns regarding prehospital RSI.
Authors:
Mark A Merlin; Huma Safdar; Susan Calabrese; Alex Lewinsky; Joseph Manfre; Stephen Van Pelt; Andreia Marques-Baptista
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Prehospital and disaster medicine     Volume:  25     ISSN:  1049-023X     ISO Abbreviation:  Prehosp Disaster Med     Publication Date:    2010 Jul-Aug
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-09-16     Completed Date:  2010-11-05     Revised Date:  2011-12-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8918173     Medline TA:  Prehosp Disaster Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  341-5     Citation Subset:  T    
Affiliation:
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA. merlinma@umdnj.edu
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Emergency Medical Services / methods*
Emergency Medical Technicians
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*
Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / administration & dosage
Prospective Studies
Quality Assurance, Health Care / methods
Succinylcholine / administration & dosage*
Treatment Outcome
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents; 306-40-1/Succinylcholine

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Utilization of warning lights and siren based on hospital time-critical interventions.
Next Document:  Tactical medical skill requirements for law enforcement officers: a 10-year analysis of line-of-duty...