Paramedic intubation training in a pediatric operating room

The authors conducted a prospective study to assess the performance of paramedics with prior adult endotracheal intubation experience in pediatric intubation in the operating room of a teaching hospital. Nineteen paramedic studients were observed attempting endotracheal intubation on a total of 57 anesthetized pediatric patients undergoing scheduled surgical procedures. The average age of patients was 5.1 years (range, 6 months to 15.2 years). Average duration of intubation attempts was 22.7 ± 10.7 seconds, with a success rate on first attempt of 74%. Only minor complications occurred, and were limited to intubation attempts of greater than 45 seconds duration in four cases (6%), and patient oxygen saturation