Neonatal intubation success rates: four UK units
Gemma Edwards, Khadidja Belkhatir, Andrew Brunton, Carolyn Abernethy, Hilary Conetta, Joyce E O’Shea
Abstract
Opportunities for paediatric trainees to learn and maintain the skill of neonatal intubation are continually decreasing due to advances in perinatal and neonatal care. Internationally, success rates are low and falling, and current UK success rates are not known.1 We collected data on all intubations over 12 months in three neonatal units and 4 months in a fourth. Each site has over 5000 deliveries/year and 14–53 cots. No unit has 24 hour in-house consultant presence, and all intubate orally. Intubators were subdivided into junior trainees (ST (specialty trainee) years 1–3), middle grades (ST4–6), seniors (ST7–8, specialty doctors and consultants) and advanced neonatal nurse practitioners (ANNPs). Primary outcome was first attempt intubation success rate. There were 218 intubations: 164 in the neonatal intensive care …