Development and Pilot Applications of Simulation-Based Comprehensive Emergency Airway Management Courses

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Adequate training in managing the emergency airway requires a comprehensive learning program and training using an integrated simulator can facilitate such a comprehensive learning experience. This report describes two pilot simulation-based comprehensive emergency airway management (EAM) courses that we developed and ran, primarily for emergency medicine residents and nurses in an emergency department. METHODS: We developed two simulation-based comprehensive EAM courses. Six-hour advanced and full-day basic courses were consisted of pre-test simulations, plenary lectures, small-group hand-on workshops, cadaver workshops, realistic patient simulations using a moderatefidelity integrated simulator, and course evaluations. Participants evaluated the programs using a five-point Likert scale and open comments were also encouraged. RESULTS: Fifteen trainees participated in a pilot advanced course and a total of 48 trainees participated in two pilot basic courses. The evaluation scores of the advanced course were as follow quality of content, 4.30+/-0.74; clinical utility, 4.63+/-0.56; quality of facility, 4.73+/-0.44; quality of faculty, 4.66+/-0.49; and time allocation, 4.01+/-0.94. For the basic courses, the score were quality of content, 4.55+/-0.54; clinical utility, 4.50+/-0.59; quality of facility, 4.59+/-0.54; quality of faculty, 4.64+/-0.64; and time allocation, 4.25+/-0.85. Overall response to the courses was very positive with many trainees described the course as filling an important void in their training in EAM. The most common request was for more time for skills training and simulation experiences. CONCLUSION: The simulation-based comprehensive EAM program is a very useful way to integrate individuals' knowledge and skills into the context of managing the emergency airway. Continuous education along with additional efforts to develop various simulation scenarios and performance checklists are recommended.