The American journal of emergency medicine
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This study sought to determine the incidence of aspiration after urgent endotracheal intubation (ET) performed in the emergency department (ED), and to offer a descriptive evaluation of these intubations. In a retrospective review of 133 charts, 87 patients met inclusion criteria. Aspiration occurred in 3 (3.5%) patients (95% confidence interval, 0%, 7.4%). ⋯ Seventy percent of patients underwent ET by PGY I or II residents, 29% by PGY III or IV residents, and 1% by ED attending physicians. Seventy-seven patients were intubated on the first attempt, and airway blood or vomitus during ET was noted in 11 patients. This study offers significant descriptive information regarding urgent ET performed in the ED, and shows that aspiration after urgent ET occurs infrequently in ED patients.