The Parameters Affecting the Success Rate for Endotracheal Intubation in Emergency Department: Multi-center Trial using Korean Emergency Airway Management Registry

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the parameters affecting the success rate for endotracheal intubation in emergency department (ED) of teaching hospitals in the metropolitan area of Korea. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study in six teaching hospitals. From February 25 to August 31, 2006, physicians performing intubations at six university-affiliated EDs in the Seoul metropolitan area completed a data form from which data were entered into the Korean Emergency Airway Management Registry (KEAMR). Data were abstracted from KEAMR and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 703 intubations were registered over this period with overall success rate of 78.2%. As indicated by univariate analysis, endotracheal intubation was most successful when the glottic exposure grade (GEG) was lower (p<0.001), the specialty of the intubator was emergency medicine (p<0.001), the level of training was higher (p<0.001) and the intubation method was rapid sequence intubation (p=0.039). In logistic regression analysis, GEG, specialty of the intubator, and level of training were related to success rate. But no significant differences were shown among the intubation methods. CONCLUSION: Success rates for endotracheal intubation in emergency departments of teaching hospitals in the Seoul metropolitan area were related to GEG, specialty of the intubator, and level of training.