Intubations in elderly patients have decreased from 1999 through 2014-Results of a multi-center cohort study.

Background: Advances in pharmacologic therapy, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and advanced directives may have decreased the intubations of dyspneic elderly (≥65years old) patients in the emergency department (ED).

Objective: To determine if the percentage of elderly ED patients intubated has decreased in recent years.

Methods: Design: Retrospective multihospital cohort.