Routine Use of a Bougie Improves First-Attempt Intubation Success in the EMS Setting

Study objective The bougie is typically treated as a rescue device for difficult airways. We evaluate whether first-attempt success rate during paramedic intubation in the out-of-hospital setting changed with routine use of a bougie. Methods A prospective, observational, pre-post study design was used to compare first-attempt success rate during out-of-hospital intubation with direct laryngoscopy for patients intubated 18 months before and 18 months after a … Continue reading Routine Use of a Bougie Improves First-Attempt Intubation Success in the EMS Setting

Research Analysis: Key takeaways from PART and Airways-2 Trials

JAMA recently published two randomized control trial airway studies comparing endotracheal intubation (ETI) with either a laryngeal tube (LT) or supraglottic airway (SGA) device intubation during out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).  While each study came to a slightly different conclusion, both provide fodder for the ongoing debate around advanced airway management during a cardiac arrest in the prehospital setting. SUMMARY OF THE PART TRIAL … Continue reading Research Analysis: Key takeaways from PART and Airways-2 Trials

Research Analysis: Intubation curriculum increases first pass success

Researchers with Air Methods Corporation recently published the results of their novel airway management curriculum in Prehospital Emergency Care. The curriculum, known as the Helicopter Advanced Resuscitation Training (HeART), focuses on combining critical thinking on the part of providers with established best practices in airway management. This 25-month retrospective observational study includes over 5,000 patients that underwent rapid sequence intubation (RSI) by providers stationed at … Continue reading Research Analysis: Intubation curriculum increases first pass success

Research Analysis: Airway management better with the bougie

Researchers at Hennepin County Medical Center and the University of Minnesota Department of Emergency Medicine recently published the results of the Bougie Use in Emergency Airway Management (BEAM) randomized clinical trial in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The BEAM trial compared intubations done in a Level I trauma center using a Macintosh blade, with and without a bougie. Patients were randomly assigned … Continue reading Research Analysis: Airway management better with the bougie

Quick Take: Examining pediatric intubation

DALLAS — At the 20th EMS State of the Science, a Gathering of Eagles Conference, RJ Frascone, medical director for Regions Hospital EMS in Minnesota asked the audience whether or not it’s important to intubate kids, particularly those that are not in cardiac arrest. Frascone discussed his agency’s experiences involving pediatric intubation as the organization switched from direct laryngoscope to video laryngoscope. He also challenged … Continue reading Quick Take: Examining pediatric intubation