Description

Endotracheal intubation can be a lifesaving intervention for critically ill patients in the emergency department (ED). Endotracheal intubation is, however, a high-risk procedure with many potential complications, which seem to be even more prevalent when carried out in the ED compared to for example the operating theater. This is possibly due to multiple reasons such as a sicker population, non-elective setting, a higher variability among indications for intubation or competence of providers.

Internationally, large registries were established and multiple observational studies have been performed to gain more information about the methods, safety and complications of intubations in the ED. While in recent years these studies have added to our knowledge of ED airway management, there is still a lack of high-quality studies and there is a strong argument for increased research. To date, no studies have been published of airway management in Dutch EDs. The investigators therefore have no knowledge about any factors possibly influencing intubation outcomes and complications nor comparability with international data. Among these are factors that have been associated with preventable harm and death and insight into these factors could be used for improvement of the safety of airway management in Dutch EDs.

This study is therefore intended to provide a comprehensive review of the clinical practice and characteristics of endotracheal intubations within Dutch EDs. The results could potentially be used for comparative analysis against global datasets. Additionally, the insights gained from this study will shed light on existing gaps prevalent in the current registration processes of intubations in the Netherlands. Furthermore, these insights could act as a stepping stone for future investigations that can lead to a deeper understanding of the methodologies, safety protocols, and associated complications of endotracheal intubations within Dutch EDs