The American journal of emergency medicine
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Editorial Comment
Ethics, equipoise, and evidence: when should investigators decide to not test their hypothesis.
In an excellent investigation of endotracheal tube cuff pressure assessment, "Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressures in Patients Intubated Prior to Transport," Chapman et al measured endotracheal tube cuff pressure in patients who arrive at their emergency department after being intubated in the field. This, the first published American study of this type, presents clear and convincing evidence that patients who undergo endotracheal intubation before transport have endotracheal tube cuff pressures that exceed safe limits. ⋯ Our hope is that readers will acknowledge the study of Chapman et al as a strong piece of evidence indicating that patients who undergo endotracheal intubation without measurement of endotracheal tube cuff pressure very likely have a pressure that exceeds the safe range. We hope this study, in conjunction with the other available evidence, will prompt readers to adopt measurement of endotracheal tube cuff pressure as a routine.