title: [Airway management in intensive care units in Rhineland-Palatinate : Evolution over five years].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Securing the airway in severely ill patients is associated with a high rate of complications. So far, no information exists about the equipment readily available for airway management in German intensive care units (ICUs). It is also unknown if the range of material has improved over time.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present trial the availability of equipment for airway management in ICUs in Rhineland-Palatinate was evaluated at two different times.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a structured questionnaire, all ICUs in the state were contacted in the years 2010 and 2015. The availability of different types of equipment for airway management, as well as the presence of a training program for airway management, was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For 2010 data from 64 ICUs were evaluated and for 2015 data sets from 63 ICUs were collected. In 2010 indirect laryngoscopes were available in eight ICUs; in 2015 these devices were directly accessible in 43 units (p < 0.0001). Extraglottic devices were available in all but one ICU in 2010 and all ICUs in 2015. Equipment for emergency surgical airway procedures was available in nearly every ICU (n = 60). The availability of capnography increased significantly from 2010 (n = 12) to 2015 (n = 56; p < 0.0001). In 2010 and 2015, frequent training with a focus on airway management was performed in 23 and 32 units, respectively (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most ICUs in Rhineland-Palatinate have a broad range of equipment for airway management available, and the range has significantly improved over the time period evaluated. The availability of indirect laryngoscopes and capnometers improved significantly. However, it is remarkable that in some ICU's there is still a lack of equipment for advanced airway management.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland.|Abteilung für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder, Trier, Deutschland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Piepho
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Anästhesie- und Intensivmedizin, Diakonie Krankenhaus Bad Kreuznach, Bad Kreuznach, Deutschland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Härer
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ellermann
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland. Ruediger.Noppens@lhsc.on.ca.|Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Western University, LHSC- University Hospital, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario, Kanada. Ruediger.Noppens@lhsc.on.ca.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Noppens
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management / Q000639:trends*; D019296:Capnography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003422:Critical Care / Q000639:trends*; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000639:trends*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D020704:Laryngoscopes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Airway management; Capnography; Equipment; Indirect laryngoscopy; Intensive care unit