A Simulation-Based Training Program in Rapid Sequence Induction for Novice Anesthesiology Trainees Using a Novel Checklist.

Background: The novice anesthesiology trainee is required to assimilate the technical and nontechnical skills required to safely perform a rapid sequence induction (RSI). Acquisition of this core competency is traditionally achieved using operating room-based experiential learning, which may be associated with significant gaps in early trainee preparation. We conducted a study to explore the role of a new, customized, high-fidelity simulation-based training program designed to address this gap in RSI training. We then assessed mean performance scores of participants in the simulator and 4 weeks later.

Methods: This observational study assessed participants' performance in the simulator on the day of training and in the workplace 4 weeks later. There is no universally agreed checklist or cognitive aid incorporating nontechnical skills and planning for unanticipated difficult airway management in RSI, so we applied a new scoring checklist developed by 6 experts using the modified Delphi technique.

Results: Our task scoring checklist included nontechnical skills and consisted of 37 weighted parameters with a maximum performance score of 171. On the day of training, mean performance score was 105 (SD of 16). At the workplace evaluation 4 weeks after simulation training, the mean performance score of participants had increased to 140 (SD of 14.5; P = .001). The 95% confidence intervals for the simulator and workplace participant scores were 92 to 118 and 128 to 152, respectively.

Conclusions: The results suggest that this simulation-based training in RSI was associated with an improvement in RSI performance in novice trainees and may complement the current system of workplace-based training.