[Use of the intraosseous access in adult patients in France in 2012]

To evaluate theoretical and practical knowledges of intraosseous (IO) access in adults patients in France in 2012.

National observational descriptive transversal study as survey of opinion and practices.

An email, with an URL to online computerized quiz, was sent to residents and medical doctors who were working, in France, in anesthesiologist units, intensive care units or emergency units. Several questions were asked about theoretical and practical knowledges concerning IO access.

After 1359 responses, 396 (29%) practitioners have used an IO kit mainly in case of cardiopulmonary arrest in adults (68%). The insurance of operators in this technique and the rate of physicians who has even put an IO catheter increased with the years of experience of physicians. The reasons given for not using an IO access were no trouble placing a peripheral vein (77%) and unfamiliarity with the equipment and technology (32%). Most of practitioners (753 [55%]) have been trained and 90% (n=265) of untrained doctors believe that training was necessary. The powered system was the most used (71%).

Only 29% of practitioners have ever used an IO kit. With the new IO kits, a theoretical and practical training is needed to ensure IO kit used.