Intubation of emergency traumatic head injury patient outside the operation theatre: Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Immediate and effective airway management is a priority to save the victim's life. Maintaining a patent airway and ensuring adequate oxygenation is vital to protect the patient from secondary injury due to hypoxia. This study was aimed to assess the practice of emergency traumatic brain injury patient intubation outside the operation theatre. Methods: This study was conducted from 1st September 2018 to February 28, 2019. All trauma patients that were admitted to the emergency department were included. The data was collected by a standardized questionnaire prepared from the recommendations of an Eastern Association for the surgery of trauma practice, by direct observation while performing the procedure and reviewing the patient's chart for any drug given and any documented procedure. Result: A total of 75 trauma patients intubation was observed during the study period. All of the patients were successfully intubated but the standards of maintaining hemodynamic stability, administration of vomiting prophylaxis, and application of capnograph had nil performance. Rapid sequence intubation and maintenance of cervical spine mobility were underperformed. Conclusion: Even though emergency intubations were successfully performed most of the standards of intubation did not meet the criteria, and it needs improvement. Regarding the findings of this audit emergency, traumatic patient intubation needs to be improved in line with the standards for a better patient outcome to avoid secondary injury. Highlights: