Analysis of cricoid pressure application: anaesthetic trainee doctors vs. nursing anaesthetic assistants / Análise da aplicação de pressão cricoide: residentes em anestesiologia vs. enfermeiros assistentes de anestesia

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of anaesthetic trainee doctors compared to nursing anaesthetic assistants in identifying the cricoid cartilage, applying the appropriate cricoid pressure and producing an adequate laryngeal inlet view. METHODS: Eighty-five participants, 42 anaesthetic trainee doctors and 43 nursing anaesthetic assistants, were asked to complete a set of questionnaires which included the correct amount of force to be applied to the cricoid cartilage. They were then asked to identify the cricoid cartilage and apply the cricoid pressure on an upper airway manikin placed on a weighing scale, and the pressure was recorded. Subsequently they applied cricoid pressure on actual anaesthetized patients following rapid sequence induction. Details regarding the cricoid pressure application and the Cormack-Lehane classification of the laryngeal view were recorded. RESULTS: The anaesthetic trainee doctors were significantly better than the nursing anaesthetic assistants in identifying the cricoid cartilage (95.2% vs. 55.8%, p = 0.001). However, both groups were equally poor in the knowledge about the amount of cricoid pressure force required (11.9% vs. 9.3% respectively) and in the correct application of cricoid pressure (16.7% vs. 20.9% respectively). The three-finger technique was performed by 85.7% of the anaesthetic trainee doctors and 65.1% of the nursing anaesthetic assistants (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the Cormack-Lehane view between both groups. CONCLUSION: The anaesthetic trainee doctors were better than the nursing anaesthetic assistants in cricoid cartilage identification but both groups were equally poor in their knowledge and application of cricoid pressure.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVO: Avaliar a capacidade de residentes em anestesiologia em comparação com enfermeiros assistentes de enfermagem para identificar a cartilagem cricoide, aplicar a pressão cricoide adequada e produzir uma vista adequada da entrada da laringe. MÉTODOS: Foram convidados 85 participantes, 42 residentes em anestesiologia e 43 enfermeiros assistentes de enfermagem a responder questionários sobre a quantidade correta de força a ser aplicada na cartilagem cricoide. Os participantes deviam identificar a cartilagem cricoide e aplicar a pressão cricoide em modelos de vias aéreas superiores colocados sobre uma balança de pesagem e a pressão era registada. Posteriormente, aplicaram pressão cricoide em pacientes anestesiados reais após a indução de sequência rápida. Os detalhes sobre a aplicação de pressão cricoide e a classificação de Cormack-Lehane da visibilidade da laringe foram registrados. RESULTADOS: Os residentes em anestesiologia foram significativamente melhores do que os enfermeiros assistentes de enfermagem na identificação da cartilagem cricoide (95,2% vs. 55,8%, p = 0,001). No entanto, o conhecimento de ambos os grupos era precário sobre a quantidade de força necessária para aplicar a pressão cricoide (11,9% vs. 9,3%, respectivamente) e a correta aplicação da pressão cricoide (16,7% vs. 20,9%, respectivamente). A técnica de três dedos foi aplicada por 85,7% dos residentes em anestesiologia e 65,1% dos enfermeiros assistentes de enfermagem (p = 0,03). Não houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos em relação à classificação de Cormack-Lehane para a visão. CONCLUSÃO: Os residentes em anestesiologia foram melhores do que os enfermeiros assistentes de enfermagem para identificar a cartilagem cricoide, mas ambos os grupos apresentaram um conhecimento igualmente precário sobre a aplicação de pressão cricoide.

Present Condition Analysis of Physician Assistant in Korea

This study intended to identify the need for the legalization and development of a systematic program for physician assistants (PAs) by understanding the actual state of PA operation in hospitals. In 114 hospitals assigned as resident training hospitals for surgery, a survey was conducted on the personnel working as PAs in those hospitals; the survey included general personal information, working conditions, training time, and satisfaction. A total of 192 PAs in surgery at 35 hospitals responded to the survey. The types of PAs are Surgical Assistant, Clinical Physician Assistant, Wound Ostomy Care Nurse, Coordinator, and Clinical Research Coordinator. Types of work PAs preformed are surgical assistance, wound dressing, educating patients, overlooking consultation, doing paper works, writing operation records, and confirming examination results which were ordered. The satisfaction level for the position which PAs hold were 29.1% and and satisfaction level which doctors see towards PA was 15%. The role and the job descriptions of PAs are not clear cut, there are many discrepancies among hospitals we studied. As a result, legalization and the implementation of standardized role of PAs will lead to increase level of satisfactions in the work force and the quality of work which PAs perform will be greater.