Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Care of the intubated emergency department patient.

BACKGROUND: Emergency physicians perform tracheal intubation and initiate mechanical ventilation for critically ill patients on a daily basis. With the current national challenges of intensive care unit bed availability, intubated patients now often remain in the emergency department (ED) for exceedingly long periods of time. As a result, care of the intubated patient falls to the emergency physician (EP). Given the potential for significant morbidity and mortality, it is crucial for the EP to possess the most current, up-to-date information pertaining to the care of intubated patients.

DISCUSSION: This article discusses critical aspects in the ED management of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. Specifically, emphasis is placed on providing adequate sedation and analgesia, limiting the use of neuromuscular blocking agents, correctly setting and adjusting the mechanical ventilator, utilizing appropriate monitoring modalities, and providing key supportive measures. Despite these measures, inevitably, some patients deteriorate while receiving mechanical ventilation. The article concludes with a discussion outlining a step-wise approach to evaluating the intubated patient who develops respiratory distress or circulatory compromise. With this information, the EP can more effectively care for ventilated patients while minimizing morbidity, and ultimately, improving outcome.

CONCLUSION: Essential components of the care of intubated ED patients includes administering adequate sedative and analgesic medications, using lung-protective ventilator settings with attention to minimizing ventilator-induced lung injury, elevating the head of the bed in the absence of contraindications, early placement of an orogastric tube, and providing prophylaxis for stress-related mucosal injury and deep venous thrombosis when indicated.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app