The intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical students

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Providing a secured airway is of paramount importance in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Although intubating the trachea is yet seen as gold standard, this technique is still reserved to experienced healthcare professionals. Compared...

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Main Authors: Fries Michael, Beckers Stefan, Schälte Gereon, Bickenbach Johannes, Derwall Mattias, Rossaint Rolf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2009-09-01
Series:BMC Emergency Medicine
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-227X/9/18
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author Fries Michael
Beckers Stefan
Schälte Gereon
Bickenbach Johannes
Derwall Mattias
Rossaint Rolf
author_facet Fries Michael
Beckers Stefan
Schälte Gereon
Bickenbach Johannes
Derwall Mattias
Rossaint Rolf
author_sort Fries Michael
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Providing a secured airway is of paramount importance in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Although intubating the trachea is yet seen as gold standard, this technique is still reserved to experienced healthcare professionals. Compared to bag-valve facemask ventilation, however, the insertion of a laryngeal mask airway offers the opportunity to ventilate the patient effectively and can also be placed easily by lay responders. Obviously, it might be inserted without detailed background knowledge.</p> <p>The purpose of the study was to investigate the intuitive use of airway devices by first-year medical students as well as the effect of a simple, but well-directed training programme. Retention of skills was re-evaluated six months thereafter.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The insertion of a LMA-Classic and a LMA-Fastrach performed by inexperienced medical students was compared in an airway model. The improvement on their performance after a training programme of overall two hours was examined afterwards.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prior to any instruction, mean time to correct placement was 55.5 ± 29.6 s for the LMA-Classic and 38.1 ± 24.9 s for the LMA-Fastrach. Following training, time to correct placement decreased significantly with 22.9 ± 13.5 s for the LMA-Classic and 22.9 ± 19.0 s for the LMA-Fastrach, respectively (p < 0.05). After six months, the results are comparable prior (55.6 ± 29.9 vs 43.1 ± 34.7 s) and after a further training period (23.5 ± 13.2 vs 26.6 ± 21.6, p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Untrained laypersons are able to use different airway devices in a manikin and may therefore provide a secured airway even without having any detailed background knowledge about the tool. Minimal theoretical instruction and practical skill training can improve their performance significantly. However, refreshment of knowledge seems justified after six months.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-572d5f3d5e0a41879057b7e7a2c711c52022-12-22T03:24:46ZengBMCBMC Emergency Medicine1471-227X2009-09-01911810.1186/1471-227X-9-18The intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical studentsFries MichaelBeckers StefanSchälte GereonBickenbach JohannesDerwall MattiasRossaint Rolf<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Providing a secured airway is of paramount importance in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Although intubating the trachea is yet seen as gold standard, this technique is still reserved to experienced healthcare professionals. Compared to bag-valve facemask ventilation, however, the insertion of a laryngeal mask airway offers the opportunity to ventilate the patient effectively and can also be placed easily by lay responders. Obviously, it might be inserted without detailed background knowledge.</p> <p>The purpose of the study was to investigate the intuitive use of airway devices by first-year medical students as well as the effect of a simple, but well-directed training programme. Retention of skills was re-evaluated six months thereafter.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The insertion of a LMA-Classic and a LMA-Fastrach performed by inexperienced medical students was compared in an airway model. The improvement on their performance after a training programme of overall two hours was examined afterwards.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prior to any instruction, mean time to correct placement was 55.5 ± 29.6 s for the LMA-Classic and 38.1 ± 24.9 s for the LMA-Fastrach. Following training, time to correct placement decreased significantly with 22.9 ± 13.5 s for the LMA-Classic and 22.9 ± 19.0 s for the LMA-Fastrach, respectively (p < 0.05). After six months, the results are comparable prior (55.6 ± 29.9 vs 43.1 ± 34.7 s) and after a further training period (23.5 ± 13.2 vs 26.6 ± 21.6, p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Untrained laypersons are able to use different airway devices in a manikin and may therefore provide a secured airway even without having any detailed background knowledge about the tool. Minimal theoretical instruction and practical skill training can improve their performance significantly. However, refreshment of knowledge seems justified after six months.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-227X/9/18
spellingShingle Fries Michael
Beckers Stefan
Schälte Gereon
Bickenbach Johannes
Derwall Mattias
Rossaint Rolf
The intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical students
BMC Emergency Medicine
title The intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical students
title_full The intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical students
title_fullStr The intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical students
title_full_unstemmed The intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical students
title_short The intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical students
title_sort intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical students
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-227X/9/18
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