Virginia "Chris" Muckler and Brett Morgan recently published an article entitled "Creation of a Low-Cost Simulated Trachea for Deliberate Practice of Cricothyrotomy and Retrograde Wire Use" in the August issue of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Journal. Another co-author is Sylvanus Kampo who is currently enrolled in the PhD program at Dalian Medical University in China and former director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana.

Abstract: Simulation is an accepted teaching tool that focuses on active learning and is used to solidify cognitive, motor, critical thinking, and communication skills. This method of experiential learning was introduced and integrated into the distance-based degree completion program for practicing anesthetists at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana. Because of scarce resources, a simulated trachea was created for teaching students how to perform a needle cricothyrotomy and use a retrograde wire to secure an airway. Students were oriented to the materials, taught to construct the simulated trachea, and encouraged to consider local, inexpensive resources for equipment substitutions as necessary. Students were guided through the steps of performing a needle cricothyrotomy and retrograde wire intubation using the simulated trachea. Following deliberate practice, the practicing anesthetists were encouraged to instruct fellow anesthesia colleagues on the use of these techniques and create additional simulation equipment that would aid in teaching or refining various skills of Ghanaian anesthetists and training future anesthetists. Appropriate for their initial simulation-based learning, the low-fidelity simulated trachea was a reasonable, low-cost approach that aligned with the established learning objectives. All participants reported satisfaction with and increased confidence levels following the simulation-based learning experience.