Multidisciplinary High-Fidelity Simulation Training for the Management of Laryngospasm Following General and Local...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anesthesiology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Laryngospasm is a life-threatening airway emergency requiring prompt recognition and intervention.
• Increasing outpatient laryngeal procedures necessitate multidisciplinary team proficiency in managing laryngospasm.
• Effective laryngospasm management is crucial for patient safety in various clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a simulation-based training day on healthcare professionals' ability to recognize and manage laryngospasm.
• To evaluate changes in knowledge, confidence, and perceived competence in managing airway emergencies.
• To determine the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary approach in simulation training for laryngospasm.

Main Methods:

• A simulation-based training day incorporated theoretical learning and hands-on practice in high-fidelity scenarios.
• Two simulation scenarios (local and general anesthetic) replicated real-time patient responses and team dynamics.
• Structured debriefing sessions provided immediate faculty feedback, and pre- and post-course questionnaires assessed outcomes.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) were observed in participants' confidence and perceived competence in managing laryngospasm.
• Participants from diverse roles (doctors, nurses, therapists) demonstrated enhanced skills after the training.
• While knowledge gains were not statistically significant, confidence and competence showed marked improvement.

Conclusions:

• Multidisciplinary simulation workshops effectively enhance confidence and perceived competence in managing laryngospasm under various anesthetic conditions.
• The training's primary benefit lies in improving non-technical skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork for airway crisis management.
• Future iterations should consider larger cohorts, objective assessments, and broader anesthetist involvement to maximize impact.