You try again to intubate, but the airway is full of
blood, so you try to find the suction catheter, which is
on the floor now. You suction and try again—still can't
see the cords. Now your partner has found the pulse
oximeter and says the sats are 60%. You try once more
to intubate and see nothing but blood. Now you notice
your patient is turning blue and purple. You start CPR.
It doesn't have to be this way. Through careful edu-
cation, training, planning and practice, you can avoid
disasters like this one.
RSI/DSI
New Hanover Regional
Medical Center's AirLink/
VitaLink Critical Care
Transport Team members
execute a 10-question
challenge and response
time-out before
every rapid sequence
intubation to ensure all
equipment, including
video laryngoscopy, is
prepared and everyone
understands their role.
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