Emergency endotracheal intubation by respiratory care personnel in a community hospital.
We designed and implemented a program to train respiratory therapy personnel to perform emergency endotracheal intubation in a community hospital. During a one-year study period, 143 emergency intubations were attempted by physicians, nurse anesthetists, and respiratory therapy personnel. Respiratory therapy personnel attempted 74 intubations, with 13 complications, for a complication rate per attempt of 18%. Physicians and nurse anesthetists attempted 69 intubations, with 39 complications, for a complication rate of 57%. We conclude that trained respiratory care personnel can safely and effectively secure an airway via endotracheal intubation under emergency circumstances in our institution.
D006744:Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008404:Massachusetts; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*