UK Paramedic Rapid Sequence Intubation...Is it viable?

This report details the indications and drug requirements of Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI), then proceeds to discuss the literature and evidence surrounding RSI with a view to answering the question: Can UK Paramedics perform RSI? And more importantly, should they? The literature reviewed is taken from a variety of sources, including searches of internet material, journal articles and relevant text books, and the information critically reviewed.

The report details and critiques the information gleaned and discovers that there is little in the way of research relating to Paramedic RSI, and therefore uses other appropriate studies, for example MacKay [1]. It is soon realised that even the studies that are published are not as concise as they first appear to be, some leaving large breaches in the research, and other failing to answer the questions posed.

The report concludes that at present, the data that has been collected is not in favour of Paramedic administered RSI, in fact it is overwhelmingly suggested that pre-hospital RSI is actually detrimental to patient outcomes. Therefore, it is concluded that whilst UK Paramedics would be capable of administering RSI, with the evidence bias, it would not be appropriate.