[Airway management in intensive care units in Rhineland-Palatinate : Evolution over five years]

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Critical Care
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Securing the airway in critically ill patients presents significant challenges and complication risks.
• There is a lack of data regarding the availability and evolution of airway management equipment in German intensive care units (ICUs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the availability of airway management equipment in intensive care units (ICUs) in Rhineland-Palatinate at two distinct time points.
• To assess changes in the availability of airway management equipment and training over time.

Main Methods:

• A structured questionnaire was used to survey all ICUs in Rhineland-Palatinate.
• Data collection occurred in 2010 and 2015, assessing equipment for airway management and training program presence.

Main Results:

• Indirect laryngoscope availability increased from 8 to 43 ICUs (p < 0.0001); capnography availability rose from 12 to 56 ICUs (p < 0.0001).
• Extraglottic devices were nearly universally available in both years. Emergency surgical airway equipment was present in most ICUs.
• Frequent airway management training increased slightly but not significantly (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Most ICUs in Rhineland-Palatinate possess a comprehensive range of airway management equipment, showing significant improvement over the study period.
• Key advancements include increased availability of indirect laryngoscopes and capnography.
• A notable finding is the persistent lack of advanced airway management equipment in some ICUs.