Effectiveness of Surgical Airway Training Laboratory and Assessment of Skill and Knowledge Fade in Surgical Airway Establishment Among Prehospital Providers

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical airway education composed of training using cadavers. The secondary aim was to evaluate the presence and degree of knowledge and skill fade 3 months after training. MethodsThirteen participants were recruited from a helicopter emergency medical services program. Participants were assessed at multiple points during training using a multiple-choice examination and a timed evaluation of the ability to establish a surgical airway. ResultsTraining was effective at increasing knowledge and skill, with a mean increase in multiple-choice examination scores of 14.6 percentage points after training (P < .01) and a mean decrease in time to airway establishment of 26 seconds (P < .01). The training was not associated with the ability to establish a surgical airway in less than 40 seconds, with only 46% of participants able to do so. There was no evidence of knowledge or skill fade at 3 months after training. ConclusionSurgical airway training that includes both didactic and clinical learning using human cadavers is effective at increasing both knowledge and skill. Additional training is needed to establish competency in consistently performing surgical airways in less than 40 seconds. No knowledge or skill fade was present at 3 months after training.