A Training Program for Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Catheterization of the Subclavian Vein

Preparing interns for clinical practice through an institution-wide simulation-based mastery learning program for teaching central venous catheter placement

Central venous catheter (CVC) placement is a challenging procedure with known iatrogenic risks. However, there are no residency program requirements to demonstrate baseline CVC procedural competency. Competency-based procedural education has been shown to decrease CVC-associated morbidity, but there has been limited literature about institution-wide efforts to ensure initial trainee competency for CVC placement. This study describes the implementation of a competency-based CVC curriculum for first-year interns across an institution before supervised clinical care. An institution-wide, simulation-based mastery training curriculum was designed to assess initial competency in CVC placement in first-year residents during 2021 and 2022. A checklist was internally developed with a multidisciplinary team. Using the Mastery-Angoff technique, minimum passing standards were derived to define competency levels considered appropriate for intern participation in supervised clinical care. Interns were trained through the competency-based program with faculty assessing intern performance using the CVC checklist to verify procedural competency. Over 2 academic cycles, 229 interns from 20 specialties/subspecialties participated. Overall, 83% of interns met performance standards on their first posttest attempt, 14% on the second attempt, and 3% on the third attempt. Interns from both cycles demonstrated significant improvement from baseline to posttest scores (P < .001). Overall, 10.5% of interns performed dangerous actions during assessment (malpositioning, retained guidewire, or carotid dilation). All interns ultimately achieved the passing standard to demonstrate initial competency in the simulation assessment. All participating interns demonstrated simulation-based competency allowing them to place CVCs under supervised clinical care. Dangerous actions, however, were not uncommon. Simulation-based teaching and learning frameworks were a feasible method to promote patient safety through an institutional-wide verification of preliminary procedural competency.

Use of a Novel Three-Dimensional Model to Teach Ultrasound-guided Subclavian Vein Cannulation

Background

Central venous cannulation is an essential skill in perioperative and critical care medicine. Ultrasound guidance is the standard of care for femoral and internal jugular vein access, with the subclavian vein being perceived to be less amenable to ultrasound-guided (UG) insertion, resulting in a lack of procedural competency and low cannulation rate. There is a paucity of resources and a lack of experience among staff physicians to effectively instruct trainees. Simulation-based medical education has the potential to help maintain high-stakes, infrequently performed skills and counteract possible unrecognized skill decline. We aimed to create a novel, low-cost, high-fidelity three-dimensional (3D) model for UG subclavian vein (UG-SCV) access with an accompanying curriculum to improve this important skill.

Methods

A curriculum was created consisting of preparatory material reviewing UG-SCV access, followed by an in-person didactic lecture focusing on ultrasound use and management of complications and a deliberate practice session scanning volunteers and practicing UG vascular puncture on a 3D model. A qualitative usability test design was used to assess the validity of the curriculum in trainees with advanced vascular access skills (anesthesiologists). Participants were second-year anesthesia residents, anesthesia fellows, and staff physicians. Focus groups conducted after each session explored the face validity of the model and curriculum. By applying a usability design, the curriculum was optimized and finalized.

Results

Between September 2020 and February 2021, 28 participants tested the curriculum. The focus groups ensured that the curriculum achieved its objective, with iterative changes made after each session in a quality improvement framework Plan-Do-Study-Act approach. After the third cycle, minimal changes were suggested, and the curriculum and 3D model were finalized. An additional group of participants was used to ensure that no new input would help improve the curriculum further.

Conclusions

A focused curriculum for enhancing skills in UG-SCV cannulation using a novel 3D model was successfully implemented and validated through a usability test design. This curriculum is better targeted for practitioners experienced in central venous access to master a subclavian approach and maintain their skill level.