End-tidal capnography provides reliable ventilatory monitoring for non-intubated patients presenting after sedative overdose to the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of end-tidal capnography to provide continuous ventilatory monitoring in sedated, non-intubated ED patients following sedative overdose.

METHODS: Observational study undertaken in a tertiary hospital ED. Patient ventilation was assessed using capnography over 60 min.

RESULTS: Capnography provided uninterrupted monitoring for 99% of total study time. Capnography detected all episodes of hypoxia detected by SpO2 monitoring. Changes in capnography preceded 70% of hypoxic episodes detected by SpO2 . There were no major adverse events or incidents of device failure.

CONCLUSION: Capnography provided reliable measurement of ventilatory function in sedated non-intubated, poisoned ED patients.