The American journal of emergency medicine
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Review Meta Analysis
Apneic oxygenation reduces the incidence of hypoxemia during emergency intubation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Apneic oxygenation has been advocated for the prevention of hypoxemia during emergency endotracheal intubation. Because of conflicting results from recent trials, the efficacy of apneic oxygenation remains unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of apneic oxygenation on the incidence of clinically significant hypoxemia during emergency endotracheal intubation. ⋯ Apneic oxygenation significantly reduces the incidence of hypoxemia during emergency endotracheal intubation. These findings support the inclusion of apneic oxygenation in everyday clinical practice.
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Transient oxygen desaturation during emergency department intubation is an event with potentially devastating consequences. Pre-oxygenation is an important means of increasing a patient's oxygen reserve and duration of safe apnea prior to intubation. In the emergent setting, important modifications to pre-oxygenation techniques need to be considered to best manage critically ill patients. In this review, we discuss recent updates in pre-oxygenation techniques and evaluate the evidence supporting both commonly used and newly emerging techniques for pre-oxygenation, assessing nature and level of illness, the best delivery method of oxygen, using delayed sequence intubation in patients who cannot tolerate non-invasive pre-oxygenation and using apneic oxygenation via nasal cannula and non-rebreather mask during intubation.
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Childhood obesity remains a serious problem in the United States. Significant associated adverse incidents have been reported with sedation of children with obesity, namely hypoxemia. The objective of our study was to determine if overweight and obesity were associated with increased desaturations during procedural sedation compared with patients of healthy weight. ⋯ The results indicate that children with obesity are almost twice as likely to have a desaturation related to procedural sedation compared with children of other weight status. Providers should be aware that children with obesity may be more likely to desaturate than other children, and therefore be skilled at recognizing this.
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Many bacteria are demonstrating increasing levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. While this has implications for the healthcare system as a whole, many patients infected with these resistant organisms will initially present to the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of current trends in infections caused by the most clinically relevant resistant organisms encountered in emergency medicine. ⋯ Antibiotic resistance is increasing and poses significant a risk to both the patient and public health as a whole. Appropriate choice of initial antibiotic is important in improving clinical outcomes, which is often the role of the ED provider. On a broader level, the ED must also take part in institutional efforts such as Antibiotic Stewardship Programs, which have been shown to decrease costs and rates of infection with resistant organisms. Ultimately, a multifaceted approach will be required to curb the threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of methohexital as an alternative to propofol in a high volume outpatient pediatric sedation service.
Propofol is a preferred agent for many pediatric sedation providers because of its rapid onset and short duration of action. It allows for quick turn around times and enhanced throughput. Occasionally, intravenous (IV) methohexital (MHX), an ultra-short acting barbiturate is utilized instead of propofol. ⋯ Methohexital can be used with a high success rate and AEs that are not inconsistent with propofol administration. Methohexital should be considered when propofol is not a preferred option.