The effects of a displayed cognitive aid on non‐technical skills in a simulated 'can't intubate, can't oxygenate' crisis. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marshall, S. D.; Mehra, R.
• Is Part Of: Anaesthesia. Volume 69:Number 7(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 669
• Page End: 677
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: Anesthesia -- Periodicals; 617.96
• DOI: 10.1111/anae.12601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2409

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="anae12601-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Guidelines outlining recommended actions are difficult to implement in the stressful, time‐pressured situation of an airway emergency. Cognitive aids such as posters and algorithms improve performance during some anaesthetic emergencies; however, their effects on team behaviours have not been determined. In this study, 64 participants were randomly assigned into control (no cognitive aid) and intervention (cognitive aid provided) groups before a simulated 'can't intubate, can't oxygenate' scenario. Video analysis was undertaken of the non‐technical skills and technical performance during the scenarios. All categories had higher Anaesthetists' Non‐Technical Skills (ANTS) scores when a cognitive aid was supplied (mean (SD) total ANTS score 10.4 (3.1) vs 13.2 (2.4), p &lt; 0.001). The number of times the cognitive aid was used was associated with higher ANTS scores (ρ = 0.383, p = 0.002). A trend towards the establishment of an infraglottic airway within 3 min was also noted (control group 55.3% vs intervention 76.9%, p = 0.076). Non‐technical skills are improved when a cognitive aid is present during airway emergencies.</p> </abstract>