Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2025

Mechanical Ventilation Boot Camp Curriculum
Published on: March 12, 2018
[User behavior during functional testing of the ventilator: analysis of the use of the QUICKcheck and detection of
Davut D Uzun1, Johannes Schäfer1, Sascha Klemm1
1Medizinische Fakultät Heidelberg, Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
Background And Research Question:
While patient safety during general anesthesia has improved in recent years, incidents still occur in anesthesia, particularly in the area of airway management and ventilation. In addition to a mandatory daily system test before using a ventilator, a QUICK check is recommended by the German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI) before connecting a patient; however, misconnections of breathing tubes are still possible and not necessarily detected by the device self-test. The aim of the present study was to analyze user behavior at modern anesthesia workstations regarding the verification and functionality of the QUICK check.
Material And Methods:
A monocentric prospective recording of user behavior in handling the QUICKcheck was carried out as part of a medical simulation training course as well as a prospective, multicenter, explorative, anonymous survey of anesthesiology staff in various German hospitals.
Results:
Out of 30 participating physicians 93.3% (n = 28) carried out a QUICK check immediately before connecting the simulation patient to the ventilator. Only 1 (96.6%) of the physicians did not recognize the incorrect connection of the ventilation tubes during their QUICK check. Of the participating physicians, 80% did not use the separate bag valve mask despite persistent ventilation problems on the ventilator. The online survey was answered by n = 187 participants, 64.7% of the participants stated that they always carry out the QUICK check, 31.5% sometimes and 3.7% never. The presence of a separate bag valve mask is always checked by 66.3% of respondents, by 29.8% sometimes and by 3.8% never. Of the physicians, 32% believed that the integrated self-test always recognizes a misconnection of the ventilation tubes.
Conclusion:
The present study reveals a heterogeneous picture of the application and understanding of the QUICK check as recommended by the DGAI. The lack of understanding of a standardized implementation of the check can be seen as further evidence of the importance of interdisciplinary training with a focus on human factors, communication and cooperation as opposed to a mere procedural implementation of established tools.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Mechanical Ventilation I: Indication and Settings
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Ventilatory Modes
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...

