1249 Supporting Emergency theatre Teams with the Use of ENT Equipment

Aim Emergency theatre teams may not always be familiar with the use of ENT equipment out of hours, especially given the relative infrequency of ENT emergencies compared with other surgical specialties. This was one of the factors identified at our district general hospital in a delay to theatre for an emergency ENT case. We aimed to deliver a reference guide and educational session to theatre staff at our hospital as part of a quality improvement project to minimise the risk of delays to theatre in ENT emergencies. Method We created an infographic presentation detailing correct use and set up of both the mastoid and endoscopic sinus surgery kits. We delivered an interactive education session and measured the pre- and post-session confidence of the staff using a quantitative rating scale and qualitative feedback. Results Sessions were delivered to 14 theatre staff members at our hospital. 100% of respondents reported the minimum level of confidence with the use of ENT equipment prior to the session. 100% of staff reported either 4/5 or 5/5 confidence after the session. Conclusions Our project demonstrated positive change and increased staff confidence in using ENT equipment. It may serve as a template for other provider teams with a demonstrated educational need for staff unfamiliar with the use of surgical equipment and kits that are used infrequently. Our project also demonstrates a low-cost and effective method of education for surgical staff and may also be useful as a ‘refresher’ resource for ENT theatre teams.