Cognitive Aid for Anesthetic Preparation in An Emergency Situation: A Simulation-Based Study

When anesthesia checklists and preparations are performed urgently, omissions may occur and be deleterious to the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate in simulation the interest of a cognitive aid to effectively prepare an anesthetic room for an emergency. In a prospective single-center simulation-based study, 32 anesthesia residents had to prepare an anesthetic room in an emergency scenario, without cognitive aid in the first phase. Three months later (phase 2), they were randomly assigned to receive a cognitive aid (aid group) or no additional aid (control) and were involved in the same scenario. The primary outcome was the validation rate of each essential item in the first 5 min in phase 2. Eight items were significantly more frequently completed in the first 5 min in the aid group in phase 2 (vs. phase 1), compared with two only in the control group. However, there were no significant differences in the overall number of completed items between the two groups, as both groups completed significantly more items in phase 2, either in the first 5 min (19 (14–23) vs. 13 (9–15) in phase 1 for all residents, p < 0.001) or without time limit. Preparation times were reduced in phase 2 in both groups. In conclusion, the use of a cognitive aid allowed anesthesia residents to complete some safety items of a simulated urgent anesthesia preparation more frequently. In addition, despite daily clinical experience, a single simulation session improved anesthesia preparation and reduced the preparation time with or without cognitive aid.

Development of a Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound Curriculum for Anesthesia Residents in Brazil: It is Time to Act.

Although the use of cardiac point-of-care ultrasound in anesthesia is well established, with strong evidence supporting its benefit while managing hemodynamically unstable patients during the perioperative period, there is a lack of standardized curriculums incorporating this diagnostic modality as part of the anesthesia residency training. This report aims to describe a FOCUS curriculum based on adult learning theories, and to suggest its implementation as part of the anesthesia residency training considering the learners’ (i) previous experience with ultrasound, (ii) level of training in anesthesia, (iii) and other challenges that can impact the organization and delivery of this project.

Aerosol box for intubation of patients with suspected COVID-19: simulation study

Introduction. Endotracheal intubation is a procedure associated with a high level of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. This has led to the search of alternatives to reduce the risk of contamination, including the so-called aerosol box. Objective: To compare time and difficulty of orotracheal intubation when using the aerosol box in a simulated setting. Methodology: Observational study conducted with the participation of 33 anesthetist physicians and anesthesia residents; groups were compared in terms of time and intubation difficulty using a conventional Macintosh laryngoscope and the McGRATH™ MAC (Medtronic) videolaryngoscope with or without aerosol box. In order to determine performance with the intubation maneuver, crude hazard ratios were estimated, and a Cox multivariate regression model was built, adjusted by anesthetist years of experience and difficulties during the procedure. Results: On average, the aerosol box increased intubation time by 7.57 seconds (SD 8.33) when the videolaryngoscope was used, and by 6.62 (SD 5.74) with the Macintosh. Overall, 132 intubations were performed, with 121 successful and 6 failed first-time attempts (4 with the use of the aerosol box); 16 participants (48.48%) reported difficulty handling the box. With the use of the Macintosh, intubation was found to be faster than with the videolaryngoscope (cHR: 1.36 [95% CI 0.64-2.88]; adjusted HR: 2.20 [95% CI 0.73-6.62]). Conclusions: The use of the aerosol box and personal protective equipment in a simulation setting hinders the intubation maneuver and may result in protracted execution time.

Do Different Roles of Anesthesia Residents Improve Knowledge Retention after Non-Technical Skills Workshop?

Objective: The authors assessed whether anesthesia residents who acted as a scenario creators would have better knowledge retention than their juniors 90 days after participating in a simulation-based anesthetists’ non-technical skills (ANTS) workshop. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study via simulation ANTS workshop was conducted at a university hospital in southern Thailand in November 2017. Seven third-year post-graduate (PGY-3) residents volunteered as scenario creators, while the remaining anesthesia residents were randomly selected to participate in or observe three case scenarios, which were cardiac arrest, hypotension, and difficult ventilation. Resident’s knowledge was assessed before, immediately after, and 90 days after the workshop using a 20-item multiple-choice questionnaire. Predictors of change in knowledge scores were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis and presented as beta coefficient (β) and 95% confidence limits (CL). Results: Twenty-four anesthesia residents were recruited in the present study and included eight PGY-1, seven PGY-2, and nine PGY-3. The roles consisted of seven scenario creators, seven participants, and 10 observers. The overall immediate post-test and 90-day post-test scores increased significantly compared to the pre-test scores with a mean of 15.5 and 13.2 versus 11.7 (p<0.001 and p=0.007, respectively). The predictors of change in 90-day scores were PGY-3 versus PGY-1 (β 95% CL 4.0 [0.5 to 7.6], p=0.039), and role of participants and observers versus scenario creator (β 95% CL 5.5 [2.2 to 8.8] and 6.7 [2.8 to 10.6], p=0.004, respectively). Conclusion: Anesthesia residents who were participants or observers could improve their knowledge 90 days after a simulation-based ANTS workshop without necessarily being a scenario creator. Keywords: Anesthetists’ non-technical skill; Knowledge retention; Scenario creator; Simulation workshop

An Observer Tool for to Enhance Learning of Anesthesia Resident’s Non-Technical Skills During High-Fidelity Simulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: An observer tool (OT) dedicated to technical skills could improve learning of medical knowledge during simulation. However, it remains uncertain whether non-technical skills learning outcomes might be improved by using an OT.Methods: After consent, anesthesia residents enrolled to a crisis management training simulation were randomized to use an observer tool (OT +) (based on non-technical skills) or not (OT-) when not role-playing. The main outcome parameter was non-technical skills learning outcomes assessed by the global score of non-technical skills learning after the training (self-assessment using the 15 items of 4 categories of the Anaesthetists’ Non-Technical Skills (ANTS); 0 to 10 Likert scale; /40). The perceived stress level, satisfaction and the score of medical knowledge were also assessed. Results: All anesthesia residents were randomized (n = 48; OT+ group, n = 37; OT- group). At the end of the session, the global score of ANTS learning and the medical knowledge score were similar in the two groups: 31 ± 4 (OT+) and 31 ± 5 / 40 (OT-) (p = 0.55) and 12 ± 2 (OT+) and 12 ± 2 / 20 (OT-) (p=0.47). The 2 groups had a positive and similar perception of learning stress management, improvement of crisis skills management, satisfaction and changes in professional practice after the training session.Conclusions: This study has shown a positive perception of ANTS learning after crisis training without difference between using or not an OT in anesthesia residents. More studies are necessary to define the place of this educational tool. Trial registration: researchregistry.com. Registration number: researchregistry7055. Retrospectively registered August 13, 2021.

Effectiveness Comparison of Using Macintosh Blade and Mccoy Blade For Endotracheal Intubation In Anesthesia Residents

Introduction: Laryngoscopy is one of the critical points in the intubation process and a mechanical trauma that provides noxious stimulation, affecting cardiovascular, respiratory, and intracranial changes. Practitioner competence is a significant factor that supports laryngoscope intubation procedures. That can influence the intubation duration and amount of mechanical trauma besides caused by laryngoscope type. Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of using Macintosh blade compared to McCoy blade in intubation laryngoscopy by Anesthesia Residents. Materials and Methods: This research is an experimental study in adult patients who underwent elective surgery at GBPT Dr. Soetomo Hospital. Intubation did by Anesthesia Residents at levels 5-9 using Macintosh or McCoy Laryngoscope and chosen randomly. The data of laryngeal visualization (Cormack Lehane), hemodynamics (blood pressure, pulse), pain scale (qNOX), intubation time length, and pain scale data (VAS) after extubation were taken during intubation laryngoscope. Result and Discussion: The study was conducted on 28 samples that met the criteria. Anesthesia Resident's competence levels based on the semester in both groups laryngoscopes were not different (p 0.868). Based on laryngeal visualization data laryngoscopy, the McCoy's blade had better visualization with CL 1 at 85.7% of the samples and p-value 0.020. This good visualization makes it possible to speed up the laryngoscope-intubation in the McCoy blade group with a significant difference of time compared to the Macintosh blade group. Hemodynamic parameters, there were significant differences for hemodynamics increase. In the Macintosh blade group, the blood pressure and pulse were significantly increased after laryngoscopy intubation. The pain scale during the intubation procedure, which was rated based on the qNOx score, showed a significant increase in the Macintosh blade group with a p-value of 0.003. The postoperative pain scale (VAS) was smaller in the McCoy blade group compared to the Macintosh group (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: The ability to use both laryngoscopes at some levels of Anesthesia residents was equally good, and the use of McCoy Blade is more effective than Macintosh Blade in the intubation laryngoscopy procedure.