Journal
ANESTHESIOLOGY
Volume 109, Issue 6, Pages 973-977Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e31818ddb90
Keywords
-
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background: Emergent intubation is associated with a high complication rate. These intubations are often performed by resident physicians in teaching hospitals. The authors evaluated whether supervision by an anesthesia-trained intensivist decreases complications of emergent intubations. Methods: The authors performed a prospective cohort study in an Academic Tertiary Care Hospital. They enrolled 322 consecutive patients who required emergent intubation between November 1, 2006, and April 15, 2008. Emergency intubations are performed by anesthesia residents during their surgical intensive care unit rotation. An attending anesthesiologist was assigned to supervise these intubations at predetermined periods. A respiratory., therapist assisted with airway management and ventilation. Information related to the intubation, detailing patient demographics, indication for intubation, attending anesthesiologist presence, medications used, and immediate complications, was recorded. Disposition and duration of mechanical ventilation were also recorded. Results: There were no differences in demographics, clinical characteristics, or illness severity among patients intubated with and without attending supervision. Attending physician supervision was associated with a significant decrease in complications (6.1% vs. 21.7%; P = 0.0001). There was no difference in ventilator-free days or 30-day mortality. Conclusion: Supervision by an attending anesthesiologist was associated with a decreased incidence of complications during emergent intubations.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available