Journal of Perioperative Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Time to Intubate Utilizing Traditional Learning vs. Airway App with Augmented Reality

Mary Rachel Gutierrez*, Caroline Skelton and Cathy Smiley-Naughton

Background: Endotracheal intubation is a critical skill for anaesthesia providers and any healthcare provider responsible for airway management. Despite the clinical significance, this skill continues to be a challenging procedure for beginner Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) to master. Current training manner fail to account for the dynamic changes experienced in live patients. The purpose of this project is to evaluate whether Augmented Reality (AR) airway applications reduce the time to endotracheal intubation in new learners.

Methods: Research methods include searching databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) and Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and narrowing results with keywords, inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study design used in this research project can be classified as an evidence- based intervention or quality improvement initiative. The population of this study included first-year Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) of Emory University. The researchers analyzed time to intubation before and after Augmented Reality (AR) interactive education on the Airway Ex application.

Results: The median time Pre-AR and Post-AR were 14.22 seconds and 13.55 seconds, respectively. Wilcoxon Signed Ranked test with a two-tailed significance value of 0.394 indicates that these results are not statistically significant. The surveys demonstrated improved confidence in Direct Laryngoscopy (DL) skills post AR, better understanding of patient airway anatomy, enhanced learning experience and most participants reported ease of use of AR as an education modality.

Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of utilizing AR in the training of beginner SRNAs. There is a need for additional research with a larger sample size to establish statistical significance and further evaluate this novel training modality.

Published Date: 2024-06-10; Received Date: 2024-05-10