Apneic Oxygenation in the Emergency Department

Apneic oxygenation is a process of delivering continuous oxygen during direct laryngoscopy. Nasal cannulas are used for the purpose of oxygenation; for delivering either low flow or high flow oxygen but haven't been tested in terms of a superior study design on improving patient outcomes. In this study the investigators propose to assess the effect of giving low flow oxygen with head side elevation versus high flow oxygen with head side elevation against the usual practice of care in which no oxygen is provided during direct laryngoscopy on participant's oxygenation level. This will be a three arm study instituting block randomization technique. There will be no blinding due to the nature of intervention. The primary outcomes are lowest non-invasive oxygen saturation measurement during direct laryngoscopy and two minutes after the placement of the tube and first pass success rate. The intervention is unique as the investigators have introduced head side elevation up to 30 degrees for improving glottis visualization and low or high flow oxygen delivery on grounds to improve oxygenation for patient safety undergoing endotracheal intubation. The technique if proved successful can be employed as a method of airway management in the emergency room. The results of the study will open new horizons for the development of guidelines to utilize it as a routine measure, during airway management in the emergency room.