Intraosseous line use has increased significantly since the advent of the battery powered intraosseous drill. In surveying providers at courses over the years, we have seen a steady rise in the number of providers with access to the intraosseous drill. Now, we are learning from our students about its use in a wider range of clinical scenarios including cardiac arrest, unstable emergency patients both in the field and on arrival to the ED, trauma patients, burn patients and situations in which access to the central circulation is desired. Compared to peripheral IVs, intraosseous lines can be inserted more quickly and with higher success rates. Infusion rates when pressure bags are used match infusion rates achieved with resuscitation lines. Complication rates are exceedingly low. An intraosseous line should be more widely considered in unstable patients without venous access.
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