title: Effect of an airway education program on prehospital intubation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an airway education program (AEP) on prehospital intubation.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based air medical program
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of 372 consecutive intubations for 3 years before and 3 years after the institution of an AEP. Descriptive statistics were used and comparisons were made using chi-square analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intubation success rate was 170/180 (94%) for the preAEP group and 186/192 (97%) for the postAEP group (P > 0.05). Neuromuscular blockade (NMB) was used in 113/180 (63%) of preAEP intubations and 145/192 (76%) of postAEP intubations (P < 0.01). NMB without sedation decreased from 62/113 (55%) in the preAEP group to 12/145 (8%) in the postAEP group (P < 0.001). Cricothyrotomy rate decreased from 10/180 (6%) in the preAEP group to 3/192 (2%) in the postAEP group (P < 0.05). Failed intubation rate in nonarrested patients during the 6-year period was 10/154 (6%) in patients receiving no medications or partial rapid sequence intubation (RSI) compared with 3/184 (2%) in patients who had full RSI (P < 0.025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Establishment of an AEP resulted in an increase in NMB for intubation, a dramatic decrease in the use of NMB without sedation, and a decrease in cricothyrotomy rate. The rate of intubation failure in nonarrested patients was higher in those who received no medications or partial RSI compared with full RSI.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine and AirMed, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. eswanson.airmed@attbi.com
authors.forename: Eric R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Fosnocht
mesh_terms: D017732:Air Ambulances / Q000592:standards*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000592:standards; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards*; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000592:standards*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards*; D008348:Manikins; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014589:Utah