Needle thoracostomy by non-medical law enforcement personnel: preliminary data on knowledge retention.
BACKGROUND
Tension pneumothorax is the second leading cause of preventable combat death. Although relatively simple, the management of tension pneumothorax is considered an advanced life support skill set. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of non-medical law enforcement personnel to learn this skill set and to determine long-term knowledge and skill retention.


METHODS
After completing a pre-intervention questionnaire, a total of 22 tactical team operators completed a 90-minute-long training session in recognition and management of tension pneumothorax. Post-intervention testing was performed immediately post-training, and at one- and six-months post-training.


RESULTS
Initial training resulted in a significant increase in knowledge (pre: 1.3 +/- 1.35, max score 7; post: 6.8 +/- 0.62, p < 0.0001). Knowledge retention persisted at one- and six-months post-training, without significant decrement.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-medical law enforcement personnel are capable of learning needle decompression, and retain this knowledge without significant deterioration for at least six months.
Sztajnkrycer
Matthew D
MD
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. sztajnkrycer.matthew@mayo.edu
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery*; D016495:Police; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards