Purpose: The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a GlideScope teaching demonstration to healthcare providers, with a main focus on anesthesia providers. Advanced airway equipment combined with improper training on its use is of no use at all. Endotracheal intubation is a skill that anesthesia providers take great pride in and strive to perform to perfection. As airway experts, anesthetists are charged with keeping the patient safe during the surgical procedure while ensuring amnesia and analgesia. It is with this purpose in mind that this project manager sought to implement a teaching intervention and return demonstration with the GlideScope. Advances in new technology have improved the safety and ease of which intubation is accomplished. No single intubation technique is suitable for all patients, thus making it imperative that anesthesia providers arm themselves with all possible airway devices to ensure a safe operative experience. Method: This project involved an analysis by the project manager of a GlideScope intubation. The project manager then provided a teaching intervention on GlideScope use and again evaluated the participant performing GlideScope intubation on a mannequin. Pretest/post-test analysis was used to document the change in learner outcomes. Results: This project showed a strong correlation between proper educational preparation and the use of the GlideScope. All provider levels showed increased skill and knowledge level after attending the GlideScope teaching intervention and subsequent return demonstration. Conclusion: Conventional Macintosh and Miller laryngoscope blades are routinely used to place endotracheal tubes (ETTs) under direct visualization of the vocal chords. Occasionally, the anesthetist will encounter a patient with a difficult airway has been the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope, but recently the development of a new type of fiberoptic scope, the GlideScope, has been introduced. The GlideScope provides a significantly improved view of the vocal chords, however, placing the ETT through the narrow, delicate vocal chords can be quite challenging, if not impossible. Through proper training, the GlideScope can be used with greater efficacy and with safer outcomes in not only the urgent nature of the trauma and intensive care patient, but also the patient with normal anatomy under routine conditions. This project documents a direct correlation between educational preparation of the provider and improved results with the GlideScope intubating device.
