International Journal of Healthcare Simulation

Background and aim:

Delayed airway management was identified in 70% (9 of 13) of Insitu simulation (ISS) with an average time of 3.42 minutes from identification of the problem to management. The resuscitation council UK suggest that in most patients presenting with a compromised airway, simple actions are sufficient to stabilize them, failing to do so increases the risk of hypoxia and multi-organ failure [1]. To address this trust wide training was initiated through the ‘skills2u’ programme, where toolbox teaching was taken to the wards.

Methods:

Across a two-week period, a multiprofessional team comprising of the simulation faculty, anaesthetists, and advanced clinical practitioners, visited all clinical areas and delivered a short 10–15-minute practical ward-based interactive session to the interprofessional team. The session covered airway assessment, airway opening manoeuvres and opportunity to practice inserting basic airway adjuncts.

Results:

412 clinical staff, of all grades and disciplines, were taught in basic airway management of the deteriorating and arrested patient. Evaluation of the teaching revealed 95.5% of staff agreed it was relevant to their role and 98% agreed they now felt better prepared to respond to changes in a patient’s condition. In the subsequent three months, technical skills performance errors for airway management were identified in 15% of 10 ISS completed. In these simulations the average time taken to manage the airway from identification of the problem reduced to 1.39 minutes.

Conclusion:

Using ISS to identify technical skills performance errors followed by a trust wide ward-based education programme is an effective way to enhance patient safety.

Ethics statement:

Authors confirm that all relevant ethical standards for research conduct and dissemination have been met. The submitting author confirms that relevant ethical approval was granted, if applicable.