Success Rates of Pediatric Orotracheal Intubation by Trainees

In a prospective observational study at 15 academic pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), investigators evaluated first-attempt and overall success rates of direct laryngoscopy orotracheal intubation performed by providers with different levels of training.

Of 1265 children (median age, 1 year) who were intubated over an 18-month period, 384 were intubated by pediatric residents, 679 by pediatric critical care fellows, and 202 by PICU attending physicians. First-attempt and overall success rates, respectively, by provider type were: residents (37%, 51%), fellows (70%, 89%), and PICU attending physicians (72%, 94%). After adjusting for patient age, indication for intubation, and history of previous difficult airway, fellows were more likely…