Stephen A Bernard, Vina Nguyen, Peter Cameron, Kevin Masci, Mark Fitzgerald, David J Cooper, Tony Walker, B Paramed Std, Paul Myles, Lynne Murray, David, Taylor, Karen Smith, Ian Patrick, John Edington, Andrew Bacon, Jeffrey V Rosenfeld, Rodney Judson
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether paramedic rapid sequence intubation in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) improves neurologic outcomes at 6 months compared with intubation in the hospital. BACKGROUND: Severe TBI is associated with a high rate of mortality and long-term morbidity. Comatose patients with TBI routinely undergo endo-tracheal intubation to protect the airway, prevent hypoxia, and control ventilation. In many places, paramedics perform intubation prior to hospital arrival...
December 2010: Annals of Surgery