Laryngoscopic intubation: learning and performance.
BACKGROUND
Many healthcare professionals are trained in direct laryngoscopic tracheal intubation (LEI), which is a potentially lifesaving procedure. This study attempts to determine the number of successful LEI exposures required during training to assure competent performance, with special emphasis on defining competence itself.


METHODS
Analyses were based on a longitudinal study of novices under training conditions in the operating room. The progress of 438 LEIs performed by the 20 nonanesthesia trainees was monitored by observation and videotape analysis. Eighteen additional LEIs were performed by experienced anesthesiologists to define the standard. A generalized linear, mixed-modelling approach was used to identify key aspects of effective training and performance. The number of tracheal intubations that the trainees were required to perform before acquiring expertise in LEI was estimated.


RESULTS
Subjects performed between 18 and 35 laryngoscopic intubations. However, statistical modeling indicates that a 90% probability of a "good intubation" required 47 attempts. Proper insertion and lifting of the laryngoscope were crucial to "good" or "competent" performance of LEI. Traditional features, such as proper head and neck positions, were found to be less important under the study conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
This study determined that traditional LEI teaching for nonanesthesia personnel using manikin alone is inadequate. A reevaluation of current standards in LEI teaching for nonanesthesia is required.
Mulcaster
Julian T
JT
Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Mills
Joanna
J
Hung
Orlando R
OR
MacQuarrie
Kirk
K
Law
J Adam
JA
Pytka
Saul
S
Imrie
David
D
Field
Chris
C
D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D015233:Models, Statistical