Self-Rated Readiness for Performance of Needle Decompression in Combat Lifesaver Training

Abstract

Cadaver training provided the largest single educational confidence boost for needle decompression skills, and is an effective method of enhancing confidence in needle decompression.

Effects of the Hazardous Area Response Team Training Program on the Knowledge and Confidence in Operational Skills of Prehospital Emergency Medical Personnel in Thailand: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“… 15 This result was comparable to that of a previous study showing that after completing the training with the Combat Lifesaver course, prehospital emergency medical personnel who were not physicians had increased confidence in entering the scenes and performing resuscitation and other procedures. 20 This is also consistent with a study reporting that after passing advanced life support training, nursing students had a higher confidence skill score in resuscitating patients in emergency/critical settings. 21 Confidence skills are extremely important in emergency medical operations, particularly those in hazardous areas because confidence can lead to good and accurate practice, especially in emergency/critical situations faced by prehospital emergency medical staff.…”

Concept and evaluation of the German War Surgery Course – Einsatzchirurgie-Kurs der Bundeswehr

“…The most basic of these are reports that merely describe the design and structure of such a course 16. Next are studies of face and content validity in which participants rate the course content,6 followed by studies (such as this one) where a self-assessment of readiness by participants is evaluated 19. While useful in providing feedback to guide curricular development, reports such as these do not measure any real gain in knowledge or skills.…”

Penetrating cardiac injury as the result of pre-hospital needle decompression

“…Certainly one of the potential problems with needle decompression in the field is both assuring adequate training, and then maintaining proficiency [14]. While the best training regimen is unclear, in a large EMS system, EMS providers may only perform this procedure several times per year.…”

“…In our case, this almost certainly seems to have been a problem, as the puncture site was located well inferior to the second intercostal space, directly over the heart. Studer et al have demonstrated that the only independent predictor in proficiency or confidence is additional training [14].…”