Tips to Improve Success Rate of Intubation: A Standardized Rapid Sequence Intubation Protocol Attached to the Resuscitation Cart

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the implementation of a standardized rapid sequence intubation (RSI) protocol easily accessed on the resuscitation cart increased the success rate of intubation and reduced intubation-related complications in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This work was a retrospective study of patients who were intubated in the ED between February 2006 and June 2007. The RSI protocol and a dosage cross-table were attached to the resuscitation cart beginning in January 2007. Intubated patients before and after application of the protocol were sorted into two groups: pre-intervention and post-intervention. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were enrolled in the study, including 72 patients in the pre-intervention group and 75 patients in the post-intervention group. After application of the standardized protocol prompted on the resuscitation cart. The adherence rates to pre-treatment agents (69% vs. 90%; p < 0.01) and neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) (72% vs. 90%; p < 0.01) significantly improved. The first-attempt success rate was 57 of 72 (79%) in the pre-intervention group versus 70 of 75 (93%) in the post-intervention group (p = 0.016). The time to intubation did not differ signifi cantly, but the preintervention group had a higher percentage of prolonged time to intubation (13% vs. 3%; p = 0.029). The implementation of a standardized RSI protocol did not induce signifi cant adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated implementation of a standardized RSI protocol, improved clinician adherence to the RSI, increased success of first-attempt ED intubation and led to a decline in the rate of prolonged time to intubation.