Dawe P, Kirkpatrick A, Talbot M, Beckett A, Garraway N, Wong H, Hameed SM
Am J Surg. 2018 Feb 2. pii: S0002-9610(17)31625-2.
BACKGROUND: Damage-control and emergency surgical procedures in trauma have the potential to save lives. They may occasionally not be performed due to clinician inexperience or lack of comfort and knowledge.
METHODS: Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) non-surgeon Medical Officers (MOs) participated in a live tissue training exercise. They received tele-mentoring assistance using a secure video-conferencing application on a smartphone/tablet platform. Feasibility of tele-mentored surgery was studied by measuring their effectiveness at completing a set series of tasks in this pilot study. Additionally, their comfort and willingness to perform studied procedures was gauged using pre- and post-study surveys.
RESULTS: With no pre-procedural teaching, participants were able to complete surgical airway, chest tube insertion and resuscitative thoracotomy with 100% effectiveness with no noted complications. Comfort level and willingness to perform these procedures were improved with tele-mentoring. Participants felt that tele-mentored surgery would benefit their performance of resuscitative thoracotomy most.
CONCLUSION: The use of tele-mentored surgery to assist non-surgeon clinicians in the performance of damage-control and emergency surgical procedures is feasible. More study is required to validate its effectiveness.
Hart D, Rush R, Rule G, Clinton J, Beilman G, Anders S, Brown R, McNeil MA, Reihsen T, Chipman J, Sweet R; on behalf of the University of Minnesota Combat Casualty Training Consortium (UMN CCTC).
Acad Emerg Med. 2018 Feb;25(2):148-167
INTRODUCTION: Optimal teaching and assessment methods and models for emergency airway, breathing, and hemorrhage interventions are not currently known. The University of Minnesota Combat Casualty Training consortium (UMN CCTC) was formed to explore the strengths and weaknesses of synthetic training models (STMs) versus live tissue (LT) models. In this study, we compare the effectiveness of best in class STMs versus an anesthetized caprine (goat) model for training and assessing seven procedures: junctional hemorrhage control, tourniquet (TQ) placement, chest seal, needle thoracostomy (NCD), nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), tube thoracostomy, and cricothyrotomy (Cric).
METHODS: Army combat medics were randomized to one of four groups: 1) LT trained-LT tested (LT-LT), 2) LT trained-STM tested (LT-STM), 3) STM trained-LT tested (STM-LT), and 4) STM trained-STM tested (STM-STM). Participants trained in small groups for 3 to 4 hours and were evaluated individually. LT-LT was the "control" to which other groups were compared, as this is the current military predeployment standard. The mean procedural scores (PSs) were compared using a pairwise t-test with a Dunnett's correction. Logistic regression was used to compare critical fails (CFs) and skipped tasks.
RESULTS: There were 559 subjects included. Junctional hemorrhage control revealed no difference in CFs, but LT-tested subjects (LT-LT and STM-LT) skipped this task more than STM-tested subjects (LT-STM and STM-STM; p < 0.05), and STM-STM had higher PSs than LT-LT (p < 0.001). For TQ, both STM-tested groups (LT-STM and STM-STM) had more CFs than LT-LT (p < 0.001) and LT-STM had lower PSs than LT-LT (p < 0.05). No differences were seen for chest seal. For NCD, LT-STM had more CFs than LT-LT (p = 0.001) and lower PSs (p = 0.001). There was no difference in CFs for NPA, but all groups had worse PSs versus LT-LT (p < 0.05). For Cric, we were underpowered; STM-LT trended toward more CFs (p = 0.08), and STM-STM had higher PSs than LT-LT (p < 0.01). Tube thoracostomy revealed that STM-LT had higher CFs than LT-LT (p < 0.05), but LT-STM had lower PSs (p < 0.05). An interaction effect (making the subjects who trained and tested on different models more likely to CF) was only found for TQ, chest seal, and Cric; however, of these three procedures, only TQ demonstrated any significant difference in CF rates.
CONCLUSION: Training on STM or LT did not demonstrate a difference in subsequent performance for five of seven procedures (junctional hemorhage, TQ, chest seal, NPA, and NCD). Until STMs are developed with improved anthropomorphic and tissue fidelity, there may still be a role for LT for training tube thoracostomy and potentially Cric. For assessment, our STM appears more challenging for TQ and potentially for NCD than LT. For junctional hemorrhage, the increased "skips" with LT may be explained by the differences in anatomic fidelity. While these results begin to uncover the effects of training and assessing these procedures on various models, further study is needed to ascertain how well performance on an STM or LT model translates to the human model.
Kosequat J, Rush SC, Simonsen I, Gallo I, Scott A, Swats K, Gray CC, Mason B.
J Spec Oper Med. Winter 2017;17(4):80-84.
BACKGROUND: The application of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) represents evidence-based medicine to improve survival in combat. Over the past several years, US Air Force Pararescuemen (PJs) have expanded the mnemonic device "MARCH" to "MARCH PAWS" for use during tactical field care and tactical evacuation (TACEVAC). The mnemonic stands for massive bleeding, airway, respiration, circulation, head and hypothermia, pain, antibiotics, wounds, and splinting. We undertook this performance improvement project to determine the efficacy of this device as a treatment checklist.
METHODS: The mission reports of a 16-PJ combat rescue deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) from January through June 2012 were reviewed. The triage category, mechanism of injury, injury, and treatments were noted. The treatments were then categorized to determine if they were included in MARCH PAWS.
RESULTS: The recorded data for missions involving 465 patients show that 45%, 48%, and 7%, were in category A, B, and C, respectively (urgent, priority, routine); 55% were battle injuries (BIs) and 45% were nonbattle injuries (NBIs). All treatments for BI were accounted for in MARCH PAWS. Only 9 patients' treatments with NBI were not in MARCH PAWS.
CONCLUSION: This simple mnemonic device is a reliable checklist for PJs, corpsmen, and medics to perform TACEVAC during combat Operations, as well as care for noncombat trauma patients.
Linde AS, Caridha J, Kunkler KJ
Mil Med. 2018 Jan 1;183(1-2):e40-e44
Background: In fiscal year 2012, the Medical Simulation and Information Sciences Research Program released two Skills Decay (SD) research program announcements (PAs) under the Medical Readiness Initiative entitled "Medical Practice Initiative Breadth of Medical Practice & Disease Frequency Exposure (MPI-BMP)" and the "Medical Practice Initiative Procedural Skill Decay and Maintenance (MPI-PSD)." The Office of Naval Research also released a PA entitled "Medical Modeling and Simulation (MM&S) for Military Training and Education." A total investment of $12 M was made. This article provides a meta-synthesis of the Skills Decay research conducted under these efforts.
Methods: The MSIRRP Medical Simulation Portfolio collected, reviewed, and analyzed the final reports of the Skills Decay research efforts from the three PAs. This paper provides a meta-synthesis of the outcomes of those studies. Focus of this study was to determine if the anticipated goals of the Skills Decay Pas were met as well as to provide a summary of lessons learned to the research community.
Discussion: Fourteen research questions posed by the PAs were structured into four main goals: (1) Skills Decay identification, (2) creation/validity of Skills Decay tools and feasibility and viability of data extraction project, (3) refreshment training to prevent or alleviate Skills Decay project, and (4) Skills Decay education content.
Conclusion: Using a combination of training styles, choosing variables known to have Skills Decay predication value, and developing better ways of mining available data that can, in turn, provide feedback to training needs, it is possible for accurate Skills Decay models to be developed. These technologies have the ability not only capture the learner's reaction during the simulation, but to capture the simulation outcomes to predict a medical professional's level of experience and background. Lessons learned from the investments made by the government are extremely important in order to ensure that the outcomes of the research touch the lives of the warfighter.
Pajuelo Castro JJ, Meneses Pardo JC, Salinas Casado PL, Hernandez Martin P, Montilla Canet R, Del Campo Cuesta JL, Incera Bustio G, Martin Ayuso D.
J Spec Oper Med. Winter 2017;17(4):133-137.
BACKGROUND: The latest terrorist attacks in Europe and in the rest of the world, and the military experience in the most recent conflicts leave us with several lessons learned. The most important is that the fate of the wounded rests in the hands of the one who applies the first dressing, because the victims usually die within the first 10 minutes, before professional care providers or police personnel arrive at the scene. A second lesson is that the primary cause of preventable death in these types of incidents involving explosives and firearms is massive hemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE: There is a need to develop a training oriented to citizens so they can identify and use available resources to avoid preventable deaths that occur in this kind of incidents, especially massive hemorrhage.
METHODS: A 7-hour training intervention program was developed and conducted between January and May 2017. Data were collected from participants' answers on a multiple-choice test before and after undertaking the training. Improved mean score for at least 75% of a group's members on the post-training test was considered reflective of adequate knowledge.
RESULTS: A total of 173 participants (n = 74 men [42.8%]; n = 99 women [57.2%]) attended the training. They were classified into three groups: a group of citizens/ first responders with no prior health training, a group of health professionals, and a group of nursing students. Significant differences (ρ < .05) between mean pre- and post-training test scores occurred in each of the three groups.
CONCLUSION: There was a clear improvement in the knowledge of the students after the training when pre- and post-training test scores were compared within the three groups. The greatest improvement was seen in the citizens/first responders group.
Sidwell RA, Spilman SK, Huntsman RS, Pelaez CA
J Am Coll Surg. 2018 Feb;226(2):160-164
BACKGROUND: Several national initiatives are aimed at training citizens to assist bleeding victims. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an effort to quickly and efficiently teach basic bleeding control techniques to a clinical and nonclinical workforce.
STUDY DESIGN: The research study was conducted at 4 hospitals in a mid-sized metropolitan area. In spring 2017, the trauma department at a Level I trauma center set an ambitious goal to provide hands-on training to 1,000 employees during the course of 6 weeks. Trainings occurred in small groups and lasted approximately 6 to 10 minutes, during which time participants were taught and practiced 2 skills: packing a wound and holding direct pressure, and applying a stretch-wrap-and-tuck tourniquet. Participants completed pre- and post-surveys indicating their likelihood to use these skills.
RESULTS: More than 1,000 individuals were trained, and there were survey data for 870 participants. More than 40% of participants worked in nonclinical roles and 29% had no first aid or medical training. After completing skills training, 98% of participants indicated that they would be likely to take action to assist a bleeding victim and that they could correctly apply direct pressure or a tourniquet to control severe bleeding.
CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate that basic hemorrhage control skills can be taught to clinical and nonclinical people in brief, hands-on training. Efforts like this can be deployed across large workplace environments to prepare the maximum number of employees to take action to assist bleeding victims.
Skube ME, Witthuhn S, Mulier K, Boucher B, Lusczek E, Beilman GJ.
J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2018 Jan 12. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000001800.
BACKGROUND: The quality of prehospital care impacts patient outcomes. Military efforts have focused on training revision and the creation of high fidelity simulation models to address potentially survivable injuries. We sought to investigate the applicability of models emphasizing hemorrhage control and airway management to a civilian population.
METHODS: Prehospital healthcare providers (PHPs) undergoing their annual training were enrolled. A trauma scenario was simulated with two modules: hemorrhage control and airway management. Experienced raters used a validated tool to assess performance. Pearson correlation, logistic regression, and chi-square tests were used for analysis.
RESULTS: Ninety-five PHPs participated with a mean experience of 15.9 ± 8.3 years, and 7.4% reported past military training. The PHPs' overall execution rate of the six hemorrhage control measures varied from 38.9% to 88.4%. The median blood loss was 1700 mL (IQR, 1043-2000), and the mean global rater score (GRS) was 25.0 ± 7.4 (scale 5-40). There was a significant relationship between PHP profession and past military experience to their consideration of blood transfusion and tranexemic acid. An inverse relationship between blood loss and GRS was found (r = -0.59, n = 88, p = 1.93 x 10). After simulated direct laryngoscope (DL) failure in the airway module, 58% of PHPs selected video laryngoscopy (VL) over placement of a supraglottic airway (SGA). Eighty-six percent of participants achieved bilateral chest rise in the manikin regardless of management method. Participants reported improved comfort with skills after simulation.
CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal marginal performance in hemorrhage control regardless of the PHP's prior experience. The majority of PHPs were able to secure an advanced airway if DL was unavailable with a predisposition for VL over SGA. Our findings support the need for continued training for PHPs highlighting hemorrhage control maneuvers and increased familiarity with airway management options. Improved participant confidence post-training gives credence to simulation training.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, prognostic/epidemiological.
Vuillemin Q, Schwartzbrod PE, Pasquier P, Sibille F, Trousselard M, Ferrer MH
Mil Med. 2018 Jan 1;183(1-2):e95-e103
Introduction: Health care delivery in military conflicts implies high-stress environments. Hemorrhage is the first cause of survivable death among combat casualties, and tourniquet application is one of the most critical lifesaving interventions on the battlefield. However, previous studies have shown high failure rates in tourniquet application. Our study aimed to assess the correlation between personality traits that may interfere with effective tourniquet application in a simulated extremity hemorrhage.
Materials: Seventy-two French soldiers, previously trained to forward combat casualty care, were evaluated by self-administered questionnaires and submitted to the simulation in group of six. We focused on measuring the empathic personality of the subjects, their peer-to-peer relationships (altruism), as well as their relationship to themselves (mindfulness and self-esteem). The effectiveness of the tourniquet was evidenced by the interruption of the popliteal artery flow Doppler signal. A composite variable called "efficiency" was defined by elimination of popliteal pulse Doppler signal in less than 60 s.
Results: Tourniquet application interrupted arterial flow in 37 participants (51.39%). Efficiency was obtained by 19 participants (26.39%). We observed that soldiers with high active altruism applied less-efficient tourniquet (odds ratio = 0.15; 95% confidence interval = 0.04-0.59). On the contrary, soldiers with high self-esteem scores applied more efficient tourniquet (odds ratio = 3.95; 95% confidence interval = 1.24-12.56). There was no significant difference concerning empathy and mindfulness scores.
Conclusion: Tourniquet application is technically simple but painful and may involve personal sensitivity. These initial findings highlight the necessity to further explore the psychological processes involved in lifesaving interventions. Self-esteem stands out as a real asset in terms of military competence and resilience, a major prerequisite in stressful situations. Changing altruistic motivations of soldiers is likely not desirable, but being aware of its potential effects may help to develop personal adaptive strategies and to optimize collective training.