The effect of a rapid sequence induction protocol on intubation success rate in an air medical program

The purpose of this study was to examine the percentage of successful intubations before and after implementation of a rapid sequence induction (RSI) protocol in patients treated by our flight nurses and paramedics. The records of 100 intubation attempts before the RSI protocol was implemented and 98 after implementation were reviewed. Success rate of intubation was 79% in the preRSI patient group and 84.7% in the postRSI group. No significant difference existed in the number of patients successfully intubated preRSI compared with postRSI. The statistically significant patient characteristics associated with unsuccessful intubation were facial trauma, combativeness, vomiting, and nasal bleeding.