BMJ quality & safety
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BMJ quality & safety · Nov 2015
ReviewReducing the incidence of oxyhaemoglobin desaturation during rapid sequence intubation in a paediatric emergency department.
Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is the standard for definitive airway management in emergency medicine. In a video-based study of RSI in a paediatric emergency department (ED), we reported a high degree of process variation and frequent adverse effects, including oxyhaemoglobin desaturation (SpO2<90%). This report describes a multidisciplinary initiative to improve the performance and safety of RSI in a paediatric ED. ⋯ Following the simultaneous introduction of four interventions in a paediatric ED, RSI was performed more reliably, successfully and safely.