Teaching Emergency Airway Management Using Medical Simulation: A Pilot Program

Abstract

Objective: Simulation is a tool that has been used successfully in many high performance fields to permit training in rare and hazardous events. Our goal was to develop and evaluate a program to teach airway crisis management to otolaryngology trainees using medical simulation. 92 (SD, 0.28). Sample comments include: "This is a valuable tool for students and residents since true emergencies in ORL are often lifethreatening and infrequent," and "This is a great course-really all physicians should experience it." Overall evaluation was extremely positive and both residents and fellows described the course as filling an important void in their education. Conclusion: Medical simulation can be an extremely effective method for teaching airway crisis management and teamwork skills to otolaryngology trainees at all levels.

Self-reported changes in attitude and behavior after attending a simulation-aided airway management course

“…As management of a difficult airway can be very stressful for the practitioner [20], teaching and training should prepare them for such situations. Training may be facilitated by a sufficiently realistic environment [9,21,22], an expectation also anticipated by the participants of our courses. Indeed, most responders felt that the experience gained during simulator-based scenarios helped them to manage difficult airway situations in their daily clinical practice more so than with lectures and skill stations.…”

Identifying and Improving Knowledge Deficits of Emergency Airway Management of Tracheotomy and Laryngectomy Patients: A Pilot Patient Safety Initiative

“…Several groups have analyzed the type of instruction that is most effective in achieving house staff competence in emergency airway management [1], such as computerized patient stimulators [2] or independent practice combined with periodic feedback [3]. The utility of bedside posted forms, however, has not been analyzed.…”

What’s New in Airway Management

“…Along with acquiring competence in use of these devices, it is equally important to develop the ability to create and implement a variety of intubation plans. [46][47][48][49] Simulation can also be used to assess airway competency and is now required for Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesia. 43,44 Simulation Simulation has long been used in aviation for teamwork training and standardization of practice, with documented reduction in errors.…”