RESUMO
We assessed the airway management skills of 20 junior doctors on patients in the anaesthetic room, using a self-inflating bag with digital flowmeter to measure exhaled tidal volume. Following induction of anaesthesia the junior doctor attempted to ventilate the patient's lungs with five breaths. If two of these breaths were > 250 ml the assessment was completed. If not, a period of instruction was given followed by a further five-breath assessment. Eight doctors did not need further training; of these, six were senior house officers and seven had been on an Advanced Life Support course. Twelve doctors required instruction and re-assessment. Four were senior house officers and two had been on an Advanced Life Support course. They showed some improvement following the instruction period but never reached the standard of the other eight. Validated courses improve resuscitation skills but hands-on training in the anaesthetic room can also be of benefit in maintaining these skills.
