RN intubating in the ED

[matt033174]

Do any of you work at hospitals where RNs intubate patients in the ED under certain situations? We are looking at this at our hospital. What training do you require of these nurses. I've heard some say ACLS, but I teach ACLS and don't feel it rovides enough training to set someone loose even with a doctor or paramedic with them.

[mwbeah]

I just don't see why such a big deal is being made out of this. It's well within a RN's scope to intubate if properly trained. There seem to be some people here who seem to think you have to have some sort of EMS gene or an advanced degree to even learn how to do it. Nobody's suggested doing away with EMS or CRNAs once a few nurses in a rural ED become trained to intubate in an emergent situation.

Good luck, Matt.

My point is that one of your very first human intubations shouldn't be an emergency. Cowboys belong in a rodeo, not in a hospital.

Mike

[Medic946RN]

perhaps you should also check with your state board of nursing to see if this is permitted or do you require state mandated higher level of education?

an example would be- nps can but staff rn cannot suture in our state. i don't know about intubating in pa, i'd have to reasearch that one.

anne

you can intubate in pa if you hold a prehospital rn certificate. i know the ed i work out of as a phrn allows the ed rn's who are phrn's to intubate if medical command physician allows it.

[JohnRN04]

Do any of you work at hospitals where RNs intubate patients in the ED under certain situations? We are looking at this at our hospital. What training do you require of these nurses. I've heard some say ACLS, but I teach ACLS and don't feel it rovides enough training to set someone loose even with a doctor or paramedic with them.

Dude....i've got enough to do right now....i don't wanna intubate....please stop.

[matt033174]

Thanks for all of the input. We have decided after looking at everything that we will not proceed. It will just require to much CE and followup. Just wouldn't be benificial. Thanks for everyones help.

[jmgrn65, RN]

You would have to develop a policy and procedure, i think the best way for nurse to become competent with intubation is for them to go to the OR and learn with crna's or anesthesiologists. That is what our hospital does with the RT's when they learn.