Abstract
BackgroundIn neonatal endotracheal intubation, excessive pressure on soft tissues during laryngoscopy can determine permanent injury. Low-fidelity skill trainers do not give valid feedback about this issue. This study describes the technical realization and validation of an active neonatal intubation skill trainer providing objective feedback.MethodsWe studied expert health professionals’ performances in neonatal intubation, underlining chance for procedure retraining. We identified the most critical points in epiglottis and dental arches and fixed commercial force sensors on chosen points on a ©Laerdal Neonatal Intubation Trainer. Our skill trainer was set up as a grade 3 on Cormack and Lehane’s scale, i.e. a model of difficult intubation. An associated software provided real time sound feedback if pressure during laryngoscopy exceeded an established threshold. Pressure data were recorded in a database, for subsequent analysis with non-parametric statistical tests. We organized our study in two intubation sessions (5 attempts each one) for everyone of our participants, held 24 h apart. Between the two sessions, a debriefing phase took place. In addition, we gave our participants two interview, one at the beginning and one at the end of the study, to get information about our subjects and to have feedback about our design.ResultsWe obtained statistical significant differences between consecutive attempts, with evidence of learning trends. Pressure on critical points was significantly lower during the second session (p < 0.0001). Epiglottis’ sensor was the most stressed (p < 0.000001). We found a significant correlation between time spent for each attempt and pressures applied to the airways in the two sessions, more significant in the second one (shorter attempts with less pressure, rs = 0.603).ConclusionsOur skill trainer represents a reliable model of difficult intubation. Our results show its potential to optimize procedures related to the control of trauma risk and to improve personnel retraining.
Highlights
IntroductionExcessive pressure on soft tissues during laryngoscopy can determine permanent injury
In neonatal endotracheal intubation, excessive pressure on soft tissues during laryngoscopy can determine permanent injury
Cormack and Lehane scale allows a preventive evaluation of endotracheal intubation (EI) difficulty considering glottis view at direct laryngoscopy [5]
Summary
Excessive pressure on soft tissues during laryngoscopy can determine permanent injury. Low-fidelity skill trainers do not give valid feedback about this issue. This study describes the technical realization and validation of an active neonatal intubation skill trainer providing objective feedback. Neonatal endotracheal intubation (EI) is recommended for airway management in several clinical scenarios. It is complex and requires a great deal of clinical experience: it must be completed within 30 s [1] in order to minimize hypoxia and performed correctly to avoid complications. Simulation-based learning is a valid instrument for acquisition and maintenance of clinical and procedural skills in healthcare, as well as to focus on non-technical skills, i.e. team communication and crisis management. Healthcare providers get the chance to improve their competence in invasive procedures like EI, analyzing their own mistakes or misunderstandings via structured debriefing
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