Title: Effect of proficiency-based progression (PBP) training on failure rate for ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block.

Investigating team: Fahd Aamir, George Shorten, Anthony Gallagher

Background: Recent estimates of the incidence of death arising from medical error in US hospitals are 195, 000 – 400,000 per annum. The increased utilisation of simulation based education by training bodies to aid skills acquisition has shown positive effects on trainee knowledge, behaviour and skills acquisition, with more moderate positive effects on patient outcomes.

One form of simulation based training, called proficiency based progression, in various surgical disciplines has lead to superior performance in terms of efficiency (58% less surgical time) and quality (56% less errors). Proficiency based progression utilises objectively defined components, known as metrics to establish objective criteria for feedback, assessment  and progression.

Objective: To compare PBP trained anaesthetists with those who undergo standard training for ultrasound guided axillary brachial plexus block, in terms of technical performance and incidence of block failure to those of who undergo standard training.

Prelimary results: Pending

Current stauts: Recruitment phase