Performance of six key processes for patients undergoing rapid sequence intubation in a single paediatric emergency department during two periods
| Historical (n=114) | Testing (n=75) | % Difference (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checklist used | n/a* | 69 (92) | |
| Preoxygenation appropriate† | 87 (79) | 62 (84) | 5 (−7 to 16) |
| Video laryngoscope used | n/a* | 63 (84) | |
| Laryngoscopist appropriate‡ | 54 (47) | 70 (93) | 46 (34 to 56) |
| 1st attempt ≤45 s | 81 (72)§ | 64 (85) | 13 (1 to 24) |
| ETCO2 used for confirmation¶ | 3 (3) | 71 (96) | 93 (82 to 95) |
Historical=April 2009–March 2010, Testing=July 2012–September 2013.
n (%) or % difference shown.
*Checklist and video laryngoscope were not in use during the historical period.
†>3 min with one of the approved methods; n=110 for historical period, n=74 for intervention period.
‡Paediatric emergency medicine faculty or fellow, anaesthesiology or emergency medicine resident.
§n=112.
¶Presence of ETCO2 via capnometry acknowledged on video within 20 s of tube placement after the first insertion of an endotracheal tube; n=93 for historical period and n=74 for testing period.
ETCO2, end-tidal carbon dioxide; n/a, not applicable.