Clinical nurse specialist CNS
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We designed a prospective study of endotracheal intubations and reintubations in our inner city Level 1 Trauma Center, to determine the frequency and causes of reintubation and evaluate the impact of an educational intervention aimed at minimizing unplanned extubations (UEs). After an initial 3-month phase, efforts were instituted to educate healthcare providers to the causes of reintubation noted. An identical 3-month period was then studied to evaluate the efficacy of the interventions. ⋯ Reintubations after UEs decreased from 14% to 5.2% (rate ratio, 0.374; 95% confidence interval = 0.141, 0.990). Multiple reintubation events decreased from 45% to 18.8% (p = 0.07). Increased provider education and protocol changes were associated with lower reintubation rates.