A pilot study of the Tele-Airway Management System in a hospital emergency department

J Telemed Telecare. 2011;17(1):49-53. doi: 10.1258/jtt.2010.100202. Epub 2010 Nov 19.

Abstract

We developed a telemedicine system for remote guidance of emergency airway management called the Tele-Airway Management System (TAMS). In a pilot study we examined the usefulness of the TAMS for intubations of actual patients in a hospital emergency department. Twenty-five patients were allocated randomly either to a TAMS group or to an on-scene directed (OSD) group. A total of 12 were intubated using the TAMS. The mean time to intubation (TAMS 62 s vs. OSD 56 s) and the success rate was not different between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were two oesophageal intubations in the TAMS group and four in the OSD group, but this was not significantly different (P = 0.36). There were no mechanical or technical errors such as disconnection during use of the TAMS. The pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of the TAMS as an alternative to OSD. However, a larger study will be required to determine non-superiority or equivalence.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Emergencies
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal* / adverse effects
  • Intubation, Intratracheal* / standards
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Program Evaluation
  • Telemedicine / methods*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome