Use of capnography and the availability of airway equipment on UK intensive care units

Abstract

Provisional data from the 4th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists has identified that at least 20% of major airway events take place on the ICU and that these are more frequently fatal than events elsewhere (TM Cook, personal communication). Over 23% of these incidents relate to the instigation or maintenance of an artificial airway [1]. Both the use of capnography and the immediate availability of airway rescue devices to avert or manage such incidents have been recommended. This study seeks to determine the adherence to these recommendations, the availability of such equipment on UK ICUs and to identify areas for safety improvement.