Critical Issues in ED Intubation

Emergency physicians intubate critically ill patients daily. Unfortunately, up to 17% of ED intubations can be complicated by peri-intubation hypoxemia, hypotension, and cardiac arrest. Efforts to optimize patient's physiology prior to rapid sequence intubation are critical in mitigating the risk of potentially disastrous peri-intubation complications. In this podcast, we discuss a recent Clinical Policy from the American College of Emergency Physicians that addresses critical issues in the management of adult ED patients undergoing endotracheal intubation.