Post-COVID-19 intubation trends in emergency departments in Jeddah: a survey of emergency physicians' practices

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted medical practices worldwide, particularly in high-risk procedures such as endotracheal intubation. This study aimed to assess the changes in intubation practices among emergency physicians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was conducted among emergency physicians in Jeddah. The questionnaire assessed intubation preferences, comfort levels, and skill maintenance practices post the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A total of 81 physicians completed the survey, representing a 51.5% response rate. The study revealed a substantial shift towards video laryngoscopy post-COVID-19. The percentage of physicians using video laryngoscope (VL) for more than 75% of intubations increased from 42% pre-pandemic to 65.2% post-pandemic. Concurrently, those using VL for less than 25% of cases decreased from 18.5% to 8.6%. While 69.1% of respondents reported high comfort levels with direct laryngoscopy (DL), 79% recognized the importance of maintaining DL skills. However, 57% admitted to not actively practicing DL. The availability of devices was the primary factor influencing VL use, followed by comfort level and first-pass success rate. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards VL use in emergency departments in Jeddah. While physicians acknowledge the importance of maintaining DL skills, there is a notable lack of active practice. These findings highlight the need for targeted training programs to maintain proficiency in both VL and DL techniques, ensuring optimal patient care in various clinical scenarios.