Comparison of the bleeding cricothyrotomy model to SimMan for training students and residents emergency cricothyrotomy

• Main Authors: ALISA WRAY, FARAZ KHAN, JOHN RAY, ROBERT ROWE, MEGAN BOYSEN OSBORN, SHANNON TOOHEY, WARREN WIECHMANN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2019-07-01
• Series: Journal of Advances in Medical Education and Professionalism
• Subjects: graduate; medical education; simulation training; high fidelity simulation training
• Online Access: http://jamp.sums.ac.ir/article_45012_eff389d4768b77fd4f16a305c8dc186f.pdf
• ISSN: 2322-2220; 2322-3561

Introduction: A cricothyroidotomy is an emergency procedure<br />that few emergency medicine residents see or perform during<br />their training. Therefore, there is a need for low cost, high fidelity<br />models for training. In this study, we explore a new training model<br />for cricothyroidotomies (the bleeding CRIC [cost-effective realistic<br />interactive cricothyroidotomy]) to determine if this new tasktrainer<br />is non-inferior compared to the current standard of training.<br />Methods: Authors conducted a randomized control noninferiority<br />study. There were seventeen residents and medical<br />students enrolled by convenience sample to partake in the study.<br />The participants were randomized by block randomization to be<br />taught how to perform a cricothyroidotomy on either the new<br />task trainer or the current standard task trainer and then were<br />asked to perform the procedure on a pig trachea model. Primary<br />outcome measures were scores on a previously validated objective<br />assessment tool and secondary outcomes were comfort levels and<br />realism scores based on pre and post survey results which were<br />analyzed with ANOVA.<br /> Results: There was found to be no statistically significant difference<br />between the groups in assessment scores, time to completion, or<br />comfort levels pre- and post-intervention. There was a statistically<br />significant difference in that the participants gave higher realism<br />scores in post-test analysis to the Bleeding CRIC compared to the<br />SimMan. Both groups demonstrated that they had significantly<br />improved comfort levels from baseline post-intervention.<br />Conclusion: Overall, the new task trainer was rated by learners<br />to feel more realistic than the current standard. This study<br />demonstrates non-inferiority of the new task trainer and further<br />studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to determine<br />its true efficacy.