Clin Exp Emerg Med.  2016 Mar;3(1):16-19. 10.15441/ceem.15.097.

Tube thoracostomy training with a medical simulator is associated with faster, more successful performance of the procedure

• Chung TN
• Kim SW
• You JS
• Chung HS

• KMID: 2360969
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15441/ceem.15.097

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Tube thoracostomy (TT) is a commonly performed intensive care procedure. Simulator training may be a good alternative method for TT training, compared with conventional methods such as apprenticeship and animal skills laboratory. However, there is insufficient evidence supporting use of a simulator. The aim of this study is to determine whether training with medical simulator is associated with faster TT process, compared to conventional training without simulator.
METHODS
This is a simulation study. Eligible participants were emergency medicine residents with very few (≤3 times) TT experience. Participants were randomized to two groups: the conventional training group, and the simulator training group. While the simulator training group used the simulator to train TT, the conventional training group watched the instructor performing TT on a cadaver. After training, all participants performed a TT on a cadaver. The performance quality was measured as correct placement and time delay. Subjects were graded if they had difficulty on process.
RESULTS
Estimated median procedure time was 228 seconds in the conventional training group and 75 seconds in the simulator training group, with statistical significance (P=0.040). The difficulty grading did not show any significant difference among groups (overall performance scale, 2 vs. 3; P=0.094).
CONCLUSION
Tube thoracostomy training with a medical simulator, when compared to no simulator training, is associated with a significantly faster procedure, when performed on a human cadaver.

Keyword

Education; Chest tubes; Simulation training; Cadaver

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cadaver
Chest Tubes
Critical Care
Education
Emergency Medicine
Humans
Methods
Simulation Training
Thoracostomy*