Airway management and air medical transport.
A 5-year retrospective review of airway management by flight nurses was conducted to evaluate airway care and to determine the frequency of surgical cricothyrotomy. Intubation was attempted in 51% of patients, with a success rate of 80%. Oral intubations were attempted in the remaining patients and in those patients in whom initial attempts at nasal intubation failed, with a success rate of 81%. The success rate for intubations was 72% in 1985, 95 % in 1986, 92% in 1987, 97% in 1988, and 76% in 1989. Overall, 87% of patients were successfully intubated and surgical cricothyrotomy was required in only one patient. A greater success rate was achieved when intubations were performed before takeoff than during flight.
Mishark
K J
KJ
Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN.
Vukov
L F
LF
Gudgell
S F
SF
D000401:Aircraft; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D003625:Data Collection; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008910:Minnesota