If you’re going to use drugs to intubate someone, you need to do it right. You can make the case that maybe the odd person or two out there may benefit from sedative-only intubation if done
With the right drug
In the right setting
By the right operator
But some folks still hold on to this opinion that using just a sedative (specifically etomidate) is somehow safer, easier, or in any way/ shape/ form better than using a combination of paralytics and sedatives to achieve the best conditions and, hopefully, the best outcome. on the first try.
As we say in the emergency medical business, opinions are like a*holes- everybody’s got one, and everybody else’s is gross. That’s why we try to practice evidence based medicine whenever possible- to take the opinion out of it. Let me take you on a tour of the evidence based reasons why you should either strap in for the whole RSI ride or just not get on at all.
