P046: The development of a validated checklist for bougie-assisted cricothyroidotomy

Abstract

Introduction: A cricothyroidotomy is a life-saving procedure and essential skill for EM physicians. The bougie-assisted cricothyroidotomy (BAC) is a newly describe technique that is both simple and reliable. There remains no consensus for the essential steps and ideal training strategy for the procedure. Using a modified Delphi process, we created an expert-derived checklist as a transferable educational tool for BAC instruction. Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify relevant articles describing the steps for BAC performance. These steps formed the first-iteration checklist for the modified Delphi process. Fourteen experts from general surgery, emergency medicine, otolaryngology, and anesthesia were recruited as participants for the Delphi process which consisted of three iterations. In the first two rounds, experts ranked each checklist step on a scale of 1-7, suggested additions, and provided comments. After each round the comments and rankings were integrated and steps with an average ranking of ≤3.0 were removed from the checklist for the next round. In the final round, consensus was sought by asking experts to indicate if this checklist was acceptable for teaching BAC to a novice learner. Results: A 22-item checklist was developed from a literature review. Following a modified Delphi methodology, the final BAC checklist contained 17 items. Internal consistency of the checklist was very good (α=0.855). In the third and final round, 86% of the participants agreed that the final iteration of the checklist. There was disagreement regarding “bougie hold up” as an appropriate method to confirm bougie position within the tracheal lumen. The checklist was modified, replacing “hold up” with digital palpation in the trachea as confirmation of successful bougie placement. With these modifications, consensus was achieved. Conclusion: Using a modified Delphi process, derived from existing literature and expert opinion, a 17-item BAC checklist was developed for novice instruction. This BAC checklist represents the first consensus-based set of steps for the procedure which may serve as a useful tool for trainee instruction and evaluation. Future research is required to test the validity of this checklist in training for a BAC and its applicability within competency-based medical education.