Description: 

Intubation in the emergency department is common and can prevent a patient from dying from a reversible condition. However, it is questionable whether the benefits of intubation outweigh the risks in older patients and whether other modes of ventilatory support would be preferable. . A new study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital investigated the outcomes for patients aged 65 and older after emergency department intubation across a variety of conditions and disease. According to the lead author, one in 3 older patients who underwent intubation in the emergency department died in the hospital.  The webinar will address explain the significance of emergency department visit in the overall illness trajectory of seriously ill patients, discuss non-invasive ventilation as an alternative to intubation, and best practices for communications regarding ventilatory support in the elderly patient.

 

Learning Objectives:       

After completing this activity, the participant will be able to: 

1. Discuss the significance of emergency department (ED) visits for older patients with serious illness

2. Discuss the use of non-invasive ventilation as an alternative to intubation

3. Discuss the best practice approach to crisis communications in the ED