Adult intraosseous access - experiences in a remote emergency department

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Critical Care
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Intravenous (IV) access is crucial for emergency resuscitation.
• Difficult IV access is a common and stressful problem in emergency departments, particularly in remote settings.
• Alternative vascular access methods are essential for critically ill patients.

Observation:

• Two case reports detail the use of adult intraosseous (IO) access.
• Patients experienced difficult or impossible intravenous access.
• IO access was utilized for rapid administration of fluids and drugs.

Findings:

• Intraosseous access provided a rapid and effective route for resuscitation.
• The timely implementation of IO access was lifesaving in both reported cases.
• Adult IO access is a viable and critical intervention for emergent vascular access.

Implications:

• Intraosseous access should be considered a primary resuscitation tool when IV access is challenging.
• Training and accessibility of IO devices are vital for emergency medical services.
• This technique can significantly improve patient outcomes in critical care scenarios.