Research Article
Nick Crombie, Arun George a
Abstract
Background: Critical care paramedics working alongside physicians in the West Midlands MERIT scheme Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) have been shown to demonstrate high levels of proficiency in laryngoscopy during Rapid Sequence Induction of anaesthesia (RSI). The MERIT SOP does not stipulate the team member who should be allocated the role of laryngoscopy during RSI. The aim of this study is to analyse and identify factors that influence role allocation in pre-hospital RSI performed by MERIT scheme personnel in the West Midlands. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review from 12 months of our mission database for patients who had undergone pre-hospital RSI performed by MERIT. Data collected included the indication for RSI, the number of intubation attempts (including documented failures to intubate), documentation of predicted difficulty in intubation and the degree of airway soiling prior to RSI. The clinical role of the operator performing laryngoscopy was recorded for each attempt. Results: 113 cases or pre-hospital RSI were identified. Critical care paramedics successfully intubated 49/58 (84.48%) cases in which they were allocated the first attempt at laryngoscopy. Success at first attempt lower for physicians (76.92%) but greater proportions of such cases involved patients at the extremes of age and heavy airway soiling with a wider range of indications. Conclusions: As part of a multidisciplinary team working alongside physicians, Critical Care Paramedics successfully intubate the majority of patients at the first attempt in carefully selected groups. Further research to investigate other factors at scene that influence role allocation and team dynamics in pre-hospital RSI is required.