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Training Medical Students in Bag-Valve-Mask Technique as an Alternative to Mechanical Ventilation in a Disaster Surge Setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Janet Y. Lin ,
Naina Bhalla  and
Reneé A. King
Janet Y. Lin*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois atChicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Naina Bhalla
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois atChicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Reneé A. King
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois atChicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
*
808 South Wood Street, CME 470, Chicago, Illinois 60612 USA, E-mail: jlin7@uic.edu
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Abstract

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the rapid training of medical students and their ability to provide effective manual ventilation using the bag-valve-mask technique.

Methods:

A rapid training session highlighting essential aspects of the correct bag-valve-mask technique was given to 31 medical students.This was followed by a simulated experience with a certified respiratory therapist, monitored according to a checklist of essential bag-valve-mask (BVM) competency requirements. Pretest and post-test surveys assessed the medical students' knowledge and ability to provide adequate BVM technique.

Results:

Thirty-one students participated. Presurvey results demonstrated a clear identification of the potential risk for a disaster (pandemic, natural, bioterrorist) with 55% of students responding that a definite risk did exist. Their usefulness in such an event also was ascertained with 55% of students replying they would assist with basic medical tasks, assist doctors, or assist with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Post-survey results administered after a 30-minute didactic session on the basic features of resuscitation equipment and the essential components of BVM technique demonstrated that a majority of students knew the proper head positioning maneuvers in cases not involving trauma (93%) and in cases involving trauma (72%). All students completed and passed the competency checklist.

Conclusions:

Medical students can be rapidly trained and be utilized as a potential resource to carry out the potentially lifesaving task of manual ventilation using the BVM technique in a disaster situation in which the availability of mechanical ventilators and respiratory therapists may be limited.

Keywords

allocation of resourcesdisasterepidemicmass casualtymechanical ventilationpandemicrespiratory failuresurge capacity
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 24 , Issue 5 , October 2009 , pp. 402 - 406
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2009

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References

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