Emergency Intubation outside Operating Room/Intensive Care Unit Settings: Are We Following the Recommendations for...

Although international guidelines have been developed for emergency tracheal intubation (ETI), there is little evidence of their applicability in developing countries.

The aim of this study was done to evaluate the different methods of ETI that are practiced among anesthetist and anesthesia trainees in India outside operating room (OR)/intensive care unit (ICU) settings.

This was prospective observational audit did among anesthesia personals managing ETI outside OR and ICU.

The study was conducted through an online survey using electronic media. Certified anesthetists and anesthesia trainees were sent a questionnaire where they were asked to complete and submit it online.

Out of 145 respondents, 52% were certified anesthetists. Availability of equipment, technical staff, and visual monitors was a big constraint. About 28% of the participants do not examine the airway before ETI, 61% of participants invariably do not perform rapid sequence induction and intubation, and 89% of the participants have only the bougie at their disposal with the availability of videolaryngoscope (10%) and Fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) (6%) being scarce. About 12% of the respondents use capnography for ETI confirmation. Only 48% of the participants accompany the patient during shifting.

Our survey has reported wide disparity during ETI with poor compliance to the international guidelines.