Pediatric Intubation Research Articles

Verbal Communication During Airway Management and Emergent Endotracheal Intubation: Observations of Team Behavior Among Multi-institutional Pediatric Intensive Care Unit In Situ Simulations.

To assess health-care teams' verbal communication, an observable teamwork behavior, during simulations involving pediatric emergency airway management and intubation. We conducted video-recorded, risk-informed in situ simulations at 5 hospitals with pediatric intensive care units in the Chicago, Illinois, area. Clinicians participated in their clinical roles (eg, attending physician, bedside nurse) and had access to hospital operational systems (eg, electronic health record, medical imaging, laboratory services). Video-recordings were transcribed; 3 pediatric critical care physicians analyzed the transcripts to assess preintubation communication: (a) the declaration of an airway emergency, (b) intubation medication request(s), and (c) preintubation medication administration. Ten pediatric intensive care unit simulations were analyzed. Statements to notify the care team of an airway emergency varied widely. In 3 simulations, a dosage for every medication was verbalized in the physician's initial medication request; however, in 4 simulations, a nurse was the first to verbalize the medication dosage(s) before administration. In 6 of the simulations where preintubation medications were administered, multiple requests for medications were verbalized. A clinician verbally confirmed that each medication was administered in only 2 of the simulations. No uniform statement was identified to declare an airway emergency among the care teams. Preintubation medication dosages were not consistently included in intubation medication orders, and frequently, there were multiple requests to obtain medications. Using standardized language to declare an airway emergency and verbally communicating medication requests and dosages and confirming administration may improve the quality of care in this critical event.

Family Presence During Pediatric Tracheal Intubations.

Family-centered care, which supports family presence (FP) during procedures, is now a widely accepted standard at health care facilities that care for children. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the practice of FP during tracheal intubation (TI) in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Family presence during procedures in PICUs has been advocated. To describe the current practice of FP during TI and evaluate the association with procedural and clinician (including physician, respiratory therapist, and nurse practitioner) outcomes across multiple PICUs. Prospective cohort study in which all TIs from July 2010 to March 2014 in the multicenter TI database (National Emergency Airway Registry for Children [NEAR4KIDS]) were analyzed. Family presence was defined as a family member present during TI. This study included all TIs in patients younger than 18 years in 22 international PICUs. Family presence and no FP during TI in the PICU. The percentage of FP during TIs. First attempt success rate, adverse TI-associated events, multiple attempts (≥ 3), oxygen desaturation (oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry <80%), and self-reported team stress level. A total of 4969 TI encounters were reported. Among those, 81% (n = 4030) of TIs had documented FP status (with/without). The median age of participants with FP was 2 years and 1 year for those without FP. The average percentage of TIs with FP was 19% and varied widely across sites (0%-43%; P < .001). Tracheal intubations with FP (vs without FP) were associated with older patients (median, 2 years vs 1 year; P = .04), lower Paediatric Index of Mortality 2 score, and pediatric resident as the first airway clinician (23%, n = 179 vs 18%, n = 584; odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.7). Tracheal intubations with FP and without FP were no different in the first attempt success rate (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.85-1.18), adverse TI-associated events (any events: OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.85-1.30 and severe events: OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.75-1.43), multiple attempts (≥ 3) (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.82-1.28), oxygen desaturation (oxygen saturation <80%) (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.80-1.18), or self-reported team stress level (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.92-1.31). This result persisted after adjusting for patient and clinician confounders. Wide variability exists in FP during TIs across PICUs. Family presence was not associated with first attempt success, adverse TI-associated events, oxygen desaturation (<80%), or higher team stress level. Our data suggest that FP during TI can safely be implemented as part of a family-centered care model in the PICU.

Factors Associated with First-Pass Success in Pediatric Intubation in the Emergency Department.

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with first-pass success in pediatric intubation in the emergency department (ED).MethodsWe analyzed the data from two multicenter prospective studies of ED intubation in 17 EDs between April 2010 and September 2014. The studies prospectively measured patient’s age, sex, principal indication for intubation, methods (e.g., rapid sequence intubation [RSI]), devices, and intubator’s level of training and specialty. To evaluate independent predictors of first-pass success, we fit logistic regression model with generalized estimating equations. In the sensitivity analysis, we repeated the analysis in children <10 years.ResultsA total of 293 children aged ≤18 years who underwent ED intubation were eligible for the analysis. The overall first-pass success rate was 60% (95%CI [54%–66%]). In the multivariable model, age ≥10 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.45; 95% CI [1.23–4.87]), use of RSI (aOR, 2.17; 95% CI [1.31–3.57]), and intubation attempt by an emergency physician (aOR, 3.21; 95% CI [1.78–5.83]) were significantly associated with a higher chance of first-pass success. Likewise, in the sensitivity analysis, the use of RSI (aOR, 3.05; 95% CI [1.63–5.70]), and intubation attempt by an emergency physician (aOR, 4.08; 95% CI [1.92–8.63]) were significantly associated with a higher chance of first-pass success.ConclusionBased on two large multicenter prospective studies of ED airway management, we found that older age, use of RSI, and intubation by emergency physicians were the independent predictors of a higher chance of first-pass success in children. Our findings should facilitate investigations to develop optimal airway management strategies in critically-ill children in the ED.

Techniques and Trends, Success Rates, and Adverse Events in Emergency Department Pediatric Intubations: A Report From the National Emergency Airway Registry

We describe emergency department (ED) intubation practices for children younger than 16 years through multicenter prospective surveillance. Academic and community EDs in the United States, Canada, and Australia recorded data electronically, from 2002 to 2012, with verified greater than or equal to 90% reporting. Ten of 18 participating centers provided qualifying data, reporting 1,053 encounters. Emergency physicians initiated 85% of intubations. Trainees initiated 83% (95% confidence interval [CI] 81% to 85%). Premedication became uncommon, reaching less than 30% by the last year. Etomidate was used in 78% of rapid sequence intubations. Rocuronium use increased during the period of study, whereas succinylcholine use declined. Video laryngoscopy increased, whereas direct laryngoscopy declined. The first attempt was successful in 83% of patients (95% CI 81% to 85%) overall. The risk of first-attempt failure was highest for infants (relative risk versus all others 2.3; 95% CI 1.8 to 3.0). Odds of first-attempt success for girls relative to boys were 0.57. The odds were 3.4 times greater for rapid sequence intubation than sedation without paralysis. The ultimate success rate was 99.5%. Because we sampled only 10 centers and most of the intubations were by trainees, our results may not be generalizable to the typical ED setting. We found that premedication is now uncommon, etomidate is the predominant induction agent, and rocuronium and video laryngoscopy are used increasingly. First-attempt failure is most common in infants.

Retention Curves for Pediatric and Neonatal Intubation Skills After Simulation-Based Training.

We evaluated the retention of pediatric and neonatal intubation performance abilities of clinicians trained on a simulated or live tissue model at 3 intervals after initial training to assess competency degradation related to either training modality or retention interval. We implemented a quasi-experimental design with purposive sampling to assess performance differences between 171 subjects randomly assigned to 1 of 3 intervals after initial training: 6 weeks, 18 weeks, or 52 weeks. Training followed the American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation Program protocols with hands-on practice using 1 of 2 models (live feline or simulated feline). Assessment data were captured using validated instruments and analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures (statistical significance set at P < 0.05). Cognitive retention scores decreased significantly (P = 0.000) from posttraining cognitive scores. There were no significant differences between posttraining and retention scores for pediatric and neonatal performances. Both affect and self-efficacy retention scores decreased significantly (P = 0.000) from posttraining scores at 18 and 52 weeks, but remained constant at 6 weeks. Retention scores for all dimensions showed a significant difference between subjects with varying amounts of experience performing pediatric and neonatal intubation, such that those with more experience scored higher those with less (P < 0.003). Retention performance outcomes decreased sufficiently from posttraining scores to suggest that training refreshment could serve to maintain posttraining competency in the ability to perform pediatric and neonatal intubation. Retraining intervals may be best aligned with provider experience levels. Future research focusing on the effect of variable interval refresher training on retention in pediatric and neonatal intubation is merited.

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Evaluation of emergency pediatric tracheal intubation by pediatric anesthesiologists on inpatient units and the emergency department.

There are limited data on pediatric emergency tracheal intubation on inpatient units and in the emergency department by anesthesiologists. This retrospective cohort study was designed to describe the frequency of difficult intubation and adverse events associated with emergency tracheal intubation performed by pediatric anesthesiologists in a large children's hospital. All emergency tracheal intubation on inpatient units and the emergency department performed by pediatric anesthesiologists over a 7-year period in children <18 years were identified by querying our perioperative clinical information system. Medical records were comprehensively reviewed to describe the emergency intubation process and outcomes. One hundred and thirty-two intubations from 120 children (median age 3.3 years) were eligible. The majority of emergency tracheal intubations were successful with 1-2 laryngoscopy attempts, while 14 (10.6%) were difficult. Despite grade 3 view in 3/14 cases, the airway was secured after multiple direct laryngoscopy attempts. Eleven required use of an alternative airway device to secure the airway. A preexisting airway abnormality or craniofacial abnormality was present in 57% of cases with difficult intubation including half with micrognathia or retrognathia. Major intubation-related adverse events such as aspiration, occurred in 5 (3.8%) emergency tracheal intubations. Mild-to-moderate intubation-related adverse events occurred in 23 (17.4%) emergency tracheal intubations including mainstem bronchus intubation (13.6%). A significant rate of difficult intubation and mild-to-moderate intubation-related adverse events were found in emergency tracheal intubations on inpatient units and the emergency department in children performed by a pediatric anesthesiology emergency airway team. Difficult intubation was observed frequently in children with preexisting airway and craniofacial abnormalities and often required the use of an alternative airway device to successfully secure the airway.

All India Difficult Airway Association 2016 guidelines for the management of unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation in Paediatrics.

The All India Difficult Airway Association guidelines for the management of the unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation in paediatrics are developed to provide a structured, stepwise approach to manage unanticipated difficulty during tracheal intubation in children between 1 and 12 years of age. The incidence of unanticipated difficult airway in normal children is relatively rare. The recommendations for the management of difficult airway in children are mostly derived from extrapolation of adult data because of non-availability of proven evidence on the management of difficult airway in children. Children have a narrow margin of safety and mismanagement of the difficult airway can lead to disastrous consequences. In our country, a systematic approach to airway management in children is lacking, thus having a guideline would be beneficial. This is a sincere effort to protocolise airway management in children, using the best available evidence and consensus opinion put together to make airway management for children as safe as possible in our country.

Pediatric difficult intubation in a rare genetic disorder made easy with Airtraq laryngoscope.

Pediatric difficult intubation in a rare genetic disorder made easy with Airtraq laryngoscope.

Pediatric Adverse Tracheal Intubation Associated Events Following Noninvasive Ventilation Failure

Pediatric Adverse Tracheal Intubation Associated Events Following Noninvasive Ventilation Failure

Airway management complications in children with difficult tracheal intubation from the Pediatric Difficult Intubation (PeDI) registry: a prospective cohort analysis

Despite the established vulnerability of children during airway management, remarkably little is known about complications in children with difficult tracheal intubation. To address this concern, we developed a multicentre registry (Pediatric Difficult Intubation [PeDI]) to characterise risk factors for difficult tracheal intubation, establish the success rates of various tracheal intubation techniques, catalogue the complications of children with difficult tracheal intubation, and establish the effect of more than two tracheal intubation attempts on complications. The PeDI registry consists of prospectively collected tracheal intubation data from 13 children's hospitals in the USA. We established standard data collection methods before implementing the secure web-based registry. After establishing standard definitions, we collected and analysed patient, clinician, and practice data and tracheal intubation outcomes. We categorised complications as severe or non-severe. Between August, 2012, and January, 2015, 1018 difficult paediatric tracheal intubation encounters were done. The most frequently attempted first tracheal intubation techniques were direct laryngoscopy (n=461, 46%), fibre-optic bronchoscopy (n=284 [28%]), and indirect video laryngoscopy (n=183 [18%]) with first attempt success rates of 16 (3%) of 461 with direct laryngoscopy, 153 (54%) of 284 with fibre-optic bronchoscopy, and 101 (55%) of 183 with indirect video laryngoscopy. Tracheal intubation failed in 19 (2%) of cases. 204 (20%) children had at least one complication; 30 (3%) of these were severe and 192 (19%) were non-severe. The most common severe complication was cardiac arrest, which occurred in 15 (2%) patients. The occurrence of complications was associated with more than two tracheal intubation attempts, a weight of less than 10 kg, short thyromental distance, and three direct laryngoscopy attempts before an indirect technique. Temporary hypoxaemia was the most frequent non-severe complication. More than two direct laryngoscopy attempts in children with difficult tracheal intubation are associated with a high failure rate and an increased incidence of severe complications. These results suggest that limiting the number of direct laryngoscopy attempts and quickly transitioning to an indirect technique when direct laryngoscopy fails would enhance patient safety. None.

Paediatric critical procedures in the emergency department: Incidence, trends and the physician experience.

To analyse and provide current data surrounding paediatric critical procedures performed in three EDs of a single Victorian health network. We conducted a retrospective study of every paediatric ED attendance requiring management in a resuscitation cubicle at three Victorian hospitals in 2013. The primary outcome measure was the frequency of each paediatric critical procedure performed in the ED during the 12 month study period. Additional outcome measures included details of the proceduralist and of patient presentations. Across the three EDs, there were 54,633 paediatric presentations during the study period. 5895 patients were assessed in a resuscitation cubicle and of these, only 37 presentations required one or more critical procedures (7/10,000 presentations). A total of 53 critical procedures were performed. 83% (n = 43) of emergency physicians did not perform a single paediatric critical procedure during the study period. Endotracheal intubation was the most commonly performed critical procedure with 40 attempts (74% of procedures); however, 83% of the full-time emergency physicians regularly exposed to paediatric presentations did not attempt or supervise a single paediatric intubation over the 12 months. 49% of patients who received a critical procedure were under 3 years of age and the most common diagnostic categories were seizure, respiratory and trauma. Critical procedures in children occur infrequently. Clinical exposure in the ED is therefore unreliable as the sole source of experience for critical procedures.

Effect of just-in-time simulation training on provider performance and patient outcomes for clinical procedures: a systematic review

BackgroundProviding simulation training directly before an actual clinical procedure—or ‘just-in-time’ (JiT)—is resource intensive, but could improve both provider performance and patient outcomes.ObjectivesTo assess the effects of JiT simulation training versus...

18 Factors Associated With First-Pass Success in Pediatric Intubation in the Emergency Department: An Analysis of Multicenter Prospective Observational Study

18 Factors Associated With First-Pass Success in Pediatric Intubation in the Emergency Department: An Analysis of Multicenter Prospective Observational Study

17 The Effect of Age on the First Pass Success of Pediatric Intubations in the Emergency Department

17 The Effect of Age on the First Pass Success of Pediatric Intubations in the Emergency Department

Pediatric Intubation by Paramedics in a Large Emergency Medical Services System: Process, Challenges, and Outcomes

Pediatric intubation is a core paramedic skill in some emergency medical services (EMS) systems. The literature lacks a detailed examination of the challenges and subsequent adjustments made by paramedics when intubating children in the out-of-hospital setting. We undertake a descriptive evaluation of the process of out-of-hospital pediatric intubation, focusing on challenges, adjustments, and outcomes. We performed a retrospective analysis of EMS responses between 2006 and 2012 that involved attempted intubation of children younger than 13 years by paramedics in a large, metropolitan EMS system. We calculated the incidence rate of attempted pediatric intubation with EMS and county census data. To summarize the intubation process, we linked a detailed out-of-hospital airway registry with clinical records from EMS, hospital, or autopsy encounters for each child. The main outcome measures were procedural challenges, procedural success, complications, and patient disposition. Paramedics attempted intubation in 299 cases during 6.3 years, with an incidence of 1 pediatric intubation per 2,198 EMS responses. Less than half of intubations (44%) were for patients in cardiac arrest. Two thirds of patients were intubated on the first attempt (66%), and overall success was 97%. The most prevalent challenge was body fluids obscuring the laryngeal view (33%). After a failed first intubation attempt, corrective actions taken by paramedics included changing equipment (33%), suctioning (32%), and repositioning the patient (27%). Six patients (2%) experienced peri-intubation cardiac arrest and 1 patient had an iatrogenic tracheal injury. No esophageal intubations were observed. Of patients transported to the hospital, 86% were admitted to intensive care and hospital mortality was 27%. Pediatric intubation by paramedics was performed infrequently in this EMS system. Although overall intubation success was high, a detailed evaluation of the process of intubation revealed specific challenges and adjustments that can be anticipated by paramedics to improve first-pass success, potentially reduce complications, and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.

Video Laryngoscopy in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Advantages and Approaches

Gaining facility in pediatric advanced airway management is challenging. Inherent differences in the pediatric airway anatomy as well as the relative infrequency of clinical opportunities to develop these complex psychomotor skills are contributing factors. Videolaryngoscopy offers both technical and educational advantages over direct laryngoscopy. Data are emerging to support its growing use in emergency medicine. This review summarizes the relevant evidence regarding video laryngoscopy in emergent pediatric intubation. In addition, practical tips for the safe and effective use of 3 pediatric devices are provided.

Airway Management in Patients With Abnormal Anatomy or Challenging Physiology

Most pediatric intubations that occur in the emergency department are in patients without identifiable risk factors for difficulty. Infants and children go through a predictable pattern of development that impacts airway management. A careful, stepwise approach to the identification of the truly difficult pediatric airway is critical to avoid morbidity and mortality. Difficulty can be encountered in cases of challenging anatomy such as congenital airway or midface abnormalities or with acquired conditions such as croup or epiglottitis. Physiologically, intrinsic lung disease (ie, asthma) and shock states have unique features that impact airway management.

Technology-Enhanced Simulation Training for Pediatric Intubation

Performance of endotracheal intubation in the pediatric emergency department is a specialized skill, requiring effort to both attain and maintain competence. Skills training can be approached through the “learn, see, practice, prove, do, maintain” framework. Technology-enhanced simulation should be used to assist this process, providing the opportunity for health care practitioners to practice and refine their skills while minimizing the risks to patient safety. Effective simulation-based training programs must incorporate evidence-based instructional design features. Technology-enhanced simulation shows promise for use in “proving” skills attainment as an assessment tool before performance on real patients. When used along with multicenter quality improvement collaborations and video review of skills, technology-enhanced simulation provides benefits to maintaining individual and systems competency in endotracheal intubation.

The Feeding Tube- a Simple Yet Handy Aid to Intubate an Unanticipated Difficult Pediatric Airway

Pediatric intubation requires certain unique set of additional skills compared to intubating adults. The challenges of successfully intubation of a child increases as the age and size of the child decrease and are compounded when airway difficulties arise for various reasons. Often in the rural setting, such procedures may have to be carried out by health care personnel who get trained on-the-job, and in the absence of adequate technological back-up. This leads to an increased incidence of failed intubations which can have devastating complications, especially in the pediatric age group. We describe a simple technique which helped us while intubate a 40-day old infant, without any major catastrophes.