A review of indications for endotracheal intubation in a private emergency centre in Pretoria
Date
2012-07-12
Authors
Groenewald, Anita
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Abstract
There is no clear list of indications for endotracheal intubation in the emergency
centre. Current indications are derived from studies done in other disciplines, such as
anaesthesiology (1, 2). The emergency centre is unique due to the presence of
clinically undifferentiated patients as well as the urgency accompanying the
management of critically ill or injured patients.
A consensus statement for South African emergency centres was developed using a
modified Delphi approach. The statement makes recommendations for a list of
indications for endotracheal intubation in the emergency centre. This retrospective
record review looks at indications used for endotracheal intubation in a private
emergency centre during 2006. These indications were then measured against the
consensus document derived from indications suggested by experts.
The study evaluated 183 critically ill or injured patients during the study period of
which 56 were intubated. Of all the critically ill or injured patients, only three were not
intubated that should have been, according to the consensus document. The study
found that the emergency doctors in the specific emergency centre used similar
indications to intubate as suggested by the consensus document.
Description
M.Sc. (Med.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011