Should paramedics intubate patients with SARS-like symptoms?
Year: 2003
Type: article
Abstract: Preventing the transmission of severe acute respira-tory syndrome (SARS) from patients to health careworkers is of paramount importance. Endotracheal intubation, in particular, is a high-risk procedure that has been associated with the transmission of SARS despite the use of personal protection, including gloves, gown, face mask and protective eye wear.1 Paramedics routinely intu-bate patients who are in respiratory failure, which raises concern about the safety of these health care workers as they perform this life-saving procedure. Recently issued directives2 describing procedures for in-tubating SARS patients include using an enclosed, venti-lated protective suit known as a personal protective system (PPS); conducting the intubation in a negative-pressure room in teams of 2 to 4 members; using adjunctive para-lytic agents; and having an assistant to help remove the PPS after intubation is completed. Furthermore, it is acknowl-
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Institutions: Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, University of Toronto
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1903364009