Impact of COVID-19 specific simulation training in improving intubators' level of comfort during intubations of COVID-19 patients - Results from a USA national survey

Background: Tracheal intubation is a hazardous aerosolizing procedure with a potential risk of spreading SAR-CoV-2 between patients and physicians. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 specific simulation training in improving provider level of comfort during the intubation of COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional national study, an electronic survey was disseminated using a snowball sample approach to intubators from 55 hospitals across the United States. The survey assessed providers' comfort of intubating and fear of contracting the virus during COVID-19 intubations. Results: A total of 329 surveys from 55 hospitals were analyzed. Of 329 providers, 111 providers (33.7%) reported participating in simulation training. Of those, 86 (77.5%) reported that the simulation training helped reduce their fear of intubating COVID-19 patients. Providers in the simulation training group also reported a higher level of comfort level with intubating both general patients (median [range] no-simulation training group 9 [3-10], simulation training group 9 [6-10]; p = 0.015) and COVID-19 patients (no-ST 8 [1-10], ST group 9 [4-10]; p < 0.0005) than providers in the no-simulation training group. Conclusions: Our study suggests that COVID-19 specific intubation simulation training promotes provider comfort. Simulation training may be implemented as part of airway management training during the current and novel pandemic situations. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.