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Improving Competency in Emergency Airway Management through Multimodal Simulation-Based Training
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  • Kastley Marvin,
  • Michael Coulter,
  • Mathew Marsee,
  • Art Ambrosio
Kastley Marvin
Naval Medical Center San Diego

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Michael Coulter
Naval Medical Center San Dieg
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Mathew Marsee
Indiana University School of Medicine
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Art Ambrosio
Naval Medical Center San Diego
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Abstract

Introduction: Emergency airway management necessitates decisive action by all involved in the care of the patient, yet there is no standardized method for teaching these skills. The goal of this quality improvement project was to design and implement a simulation-based departmental training course aimed at otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residents and surgical technologists focusing on airway management. Methods: This was a single-center departmental quality improvement project. A one-day course in July 2019 consisted of five instructional stations including an adult airway management and fiberoptic intubation, endotracheal intubation and surgical airway management, pediatric airway management, rigid bronchoscopy, and emergency airway supplies. Participants completed a pre-test knowledge assessment and a survey of their comfort level as well as various timed procedures. After the course, participants completed another knowledge assessment and survey of comfort level. Results: A total of 18 participants completed the course. The average knowledge test scores improved significantly from 59.1% to 75.8% following training (p=0.02). The average levels for comfort with all aspects of airway management significantly increased after completing the course. The time to successful endotracheal intubation with video-assisted laryngoscopy improved from 88.3 seconds before the course to 29.7 seconds after instruction (p=0.001). Conclusion: Implementation of a departmental emergency airway management course is feasible and useful for both residents and novices, including surgical technologists, to be able to assist in these high-stakes situations.