Skip to airway content Airway of the MonthRead the patient. Rescue the airway. Run the room.

Post-intubation rescue

DOPES Algorithm for Post-Intubation Deterioration

DOPES is a simple shared mental model for tube-in/patient-worse deterioration. It should trigger oxygenation and a systematic search for reversible causes.

DOPESpost-intubationhypoxiatroubleshooting
Checklist Situations hub Troubleshooting

Clinical-use limit: Educational resource and cognitive-aid guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment.

Case management cards

Tap each card to reveal the focused answer. The four cards match the airway workflow: before, during, after, and pitfalls.

Related resources

Troubleshooting hubOn-shift rescue

References and anchors

ACEP adult ED intubation clinical policyACEP rapid-sequence intubation policy statementACEP mechanical ventilation policy statement
About this resource
Created by: Andrew Pirotte, MD; Kyle Brown, MD; Reba Hodge, MD; Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP; Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP; Joshua Mohess Clinical review: Emergency medicine faculty review completed. Medication content reviewed by Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP, and Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP. Last reviewed: 2026-07-23 Next scheduled review: 2027-01-23 Designed for: EM residents, emergency physicians, EMS clinicians, airway educators, and simulation faculty Important: Educational resource and cognitive-aid guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment. Website contact: [email protected]