Adult intraosseous infusion in accident and emergency departments in the UK

Objective-A postal survey was conducted to gain an overview of current opin ion and practice relating to intraosseous infusion in adult resuscitation i n accident and emergency (A&E) departments in the UK and to use the results to generate debate in light of published and personal experience. Methods-Questionnaires were sent to 559 departments listed in the 1996 Brit ish Association for Accident and Emergency Medicine directory. Three hundre d and thirty two (59%) were returned and the 157 (28%) consultant led depar tments with more than 30000 new patient attendances per year were examined. Results-Seventy four per cent of respondents were aware that intraosseous i nfusion could be used in adult resuscitation, while only seven per cent use d the technique. All (100%) were involved with training their medical staff and 11% said they taught the technique for use in adults. The majority of respondents were accredited in at least one of the adult resuscitation trai ning courses. Conclusions-Numerous references appear in the Literature relating to intrao sseous infusion in adult resuscitation acid represent a wealth of experienc e. The technique is taught and used in our department in contrast with the results of this survey, which demonstrate that it is infrequently taught an d used in UK A&E departments. The more widespread teaching of this techniqu e for adult use is recommended.