Hospitals could reduce the number of unsuccessful first-attempt neonatal endotracheal intubations by 27% using nasal high-flow therapy, according to an Australian study.

Clinicians at two tertiary neonatal ICUs in Melbourne say successful intubation using this technique — which delivers heated, humidified gas through narrow nasal cannulae — can be achieved without physiological instability in the infant.

“We think there’s real potential here for many centres around the world to implement this therapy,” said lead author and neonatologist Dr Kate Hodgson, from the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, and the University of Melbourne.

“It’s simple, it’s easy to apply, it’s quick to apply, and it improves the success rate for the procedure, which is a really critical procedure for babies.”