Comparison of Successful Intubation Between Video Laryngoscopy View Before Attempted Intubation and Direct...

Airway management is a primary focus when student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) begin clinical rotations in their nurse anesthesia program. Successful endotracheal intubation requires both knowledge of and experience with the airway and its structures. Lack of clinical maturity and unfamiliarity with the patient airway intensifies student anxiety in the clinical arena. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the success rate of direct laryngoscopy by 9 SRNAs who were just entering clinical practice rotations. This study required group 1 to perform direct laryngoscopy in their first clinical opportunity in the operating room; group 2 was required to observe a minimum of 3 video laryngoscopic (GlideScope, Verathon Inc) intubations performed by the clinical preceptor before the students' first attempt using direct laryngoscopy. Other modalities used to secure the airway in this study included the GlideScope and a laryngeal mask airway. Results of the data analysis revealed there was no significant difference between groups for success of direct laryngoscopy (group 1, 54%; group 2, 58%; P = .45).