Effect of Anesthesia Equipment Position on Anesthesiologists' Performance

NCT07518849 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 4200
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if the position of the anesthesia machine affects the ability of anesthesiologists to manage a crisis situation and perform critical tasks. Participants will be asked to manage a simulated crisis situation using a manikin in the operating room. The anesthesia machine will be positioned either in an "optimal" or "awkward" manner for the anesthesiologist. The session will be video recorded and then analysed for various outcomes that reflect the anesthesiologist's performance. Participants will also perform a critical task, bag-valve-mask ventilation, on a manikin with the anesthesia machine in the optimal and awkward positions. The effectiveness of ventilation in each position will be compared. The results of this study may have implications for patient safety.

Conditions

Anesthesia Ergonomics; Anesthesia Airway Management; Simulation in Training Center

Keywords

Anesthesia; Ergonimcs; Simulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Crisis performance

  A composite performance score defined as the mean of standardized MEPA checklist score and standardized time to scenario completion.

  Measured during the crisis scenario, average time is 5 minutes

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Time metrics

  Measured during the crisis scenario, average time is 5 minutes

• Case management score

  Measured during the crisis scenario, average time is 5 minutes

• Ergonomic/motor metrics

  Measured during the crisis scenario, average time is 5 minutes

• Workload measurement metrics

  Questionnaire is completed after the participation in the crisis scenario is completed. The questionnaire will take an average of 10 minutes to complete.

• Minute ventilation

  Measured during the crisis scenario, average time is 5 minutes

Study Arms (2)

Preferred/optimal position group

EXPERIMENTAL

Anesthesia machine is placed on the preferred side and optimal position for the anesthesiologist

Behavioral: Simualted laryngospasm crisis

Non-preferred/awkward position group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Anesthesia machine is placed on the non-preferred side and awkward position for the anesthesiologist

Behavioral: Simualted laryngospasm crisis

Interventions

Simualted laryngospasm crisis BEHAVIORAL

An acute laryngospasm scenario will be simulated in a pediatric manikin

Non-preferred/awkward position group; Preferred/optimal position group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• All Department of Anesthesia residents (PGY4 or 5), fellows and staff are eligible to participate.

You may not qualify if:

• Unwillingness to complete the simulated crisis and complete study questionnaires

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hospital for Sick Children: lead

Central Study Contacts

Jason Hayes, MD

CONTACT

416-813-7445; jason.hayes@sickkids.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Staff Anesthesiologist

Model Details: Two groups randomized to anesthesia machine in the "preferred/optimal" or "non-preferred/awkward" position while managing a short, simulated anesthesia crisis followed by 1-minute to perform bag-valve-mask ventilation.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 26, 2026
• First Posted: April 9, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share