Intensivists, physicians specially trained in critical care medicine, and other members of the ICU care team may have in-depth knowledge of monitors not available to the practitioner, who does not use them on a daily basis. The most commonly encountered non-invasive monitors are electrocardiography (ECG), pulse oximetry, blood pressure measurement by manometry, urine output, pulse oximetry and end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring. Central venous pressure (CVP) is measured by placing a catheter into or near the right atrium or vena cava. Central venous pressure can be measured via a small microcatheter inserted into the frontal white matter. The physiological basis for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is based on two separate but related mechanisms that contribute to cerebral ischemia. Fetal monitoring, in practice, is generally limited to the generation and interpretation of fetal heart rate patterns obtained through Doppler ultrasound.

The ability to safely and effectively manage the airway is among the most fundamental and challenging aspects of out-of-hospital (OOH) emergency medical treatment. Commonly used devices to facilitate OOH airway management encompass a spectrum from basic means, such as the bag-valve mask (BVM), to more advanced and invasive means, such as the esophageal-tracheal combitube, laryngeal mask airway (LMA), laryngeal tube airway (LT), endotracheal tube (ET), and, ultimately, emergency surgical airways. End-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2) monitoring has emerged as the technology that can best confirm endotracheal or endobronchial location of an endotracheal tube. The threshold for detection of exhaled CO2 is significantly lower for capnometry and capnography as opposed to colorimetric devices. The use of capnography for OOH airway management enhances patient safety and can prevent the problem of unrecognized misplaced intubation (UMI) and should be a mandatory component of OOH airway management.