RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reasons for not using intraosseous access in critical illness
JF Emergency Medicine Journal
JO Emerg Med J
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine
SP 506
OP 507
DO 10.1136/emj.2010.094011
VO 29
IS 6
A1 Peter Hallas
A1 Mikkel Brabrand
A1 Lars Folkestad
YR 2012
UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/29/6/506.abstract
AB Aim To identify reasons for not using intraosseous access (IO) when intravenous access is difficult during resuscitation.Methods Questionnaire made available to members of selected Scandinavian medical societies.Results Of 759 responders to the questionnaire, 23.5% (n=178) had experienced one or more situations where there was a need for IO but none was placed. The most common stated reasons for not performing IO were a lack of equipment (48.3%), a lack of knowledge about the procedure (32.6%), and intravenous access preferred over IO (23.0%).Conclusions The main reasons for not using IO were lack of equipment and lack of training. The authors recommend increased training in IO use and greater availability of IO equipment for front-line staff in Scandinavian countries. The use of non-purpose-designed needles for IO should be evaluated.