title: Survey of the use of rapid sequence induction in the accident and emergency department.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the current position regarding the use of rapid sequence induction (RSI) by accident and emergency (A&E) medical staff and the attitudes of consultants in A&E and anaesthetics towards this.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was designed that was distributed to consultant anaesthetists and A&E physicians in hospitals receiving over 50,000 new A&E patients per year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 140 replies were received (a response rate of 72%). The breakdown of results is shown. There was wide difference of opinion between anaesthetists and A&E consultants as to who performs RSI at present in their A&E departments, however two thirds of anaesthetists thought A&E staff with appropriate training and support should attempt RSI either routinely or in certain circumstances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A&E staff in several hospitals routinely undertake RSI and the majority of A&E consultants thought that RSI would be undertaken by A&E staff if an anaesthetist were unavailable. There is disagreement regarding the length of anaesthetic training required before A&E medical staff should undertake RSI.
authors.affiliation: Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brenchley
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D012017:Referral and Consultation