Managing human factors in the assembly of the paediatric bronchoscope

Foreign body aspiration in children is a life threatening event and prompt bronchoscopy and extraction is essential for their survival. During a recent paediatric airway emergency at Torbay hospital, Devon, the theatre staff were unable to assemble the paediatric bronchoscope. We therefore investigated methods to improve the efficiency and timeliness of the assembly of the paediatric bronchoscope. To assess the current problem we asked ten theatre staff at random to assemble the paediatric bronchoscope. 70% of the staff were not able to assemble the paediatric bronchoscope. A prompt poster was developed as a visual aid to help demonstrate how to assemble the paediatric bronchoscope. Another ten theatre staff were asked to assemble the paediatric bronchoscope. Now all of the staff were able to assemble the paediatric bronchoscope. The prompt poster enabled all the theatre staff tested to correctly assemble the paediatric bronchoscope and the average time taken was reduced. To further develop the service mandatory training sessions have been arranged to help theatre staff remain confident and continue to develop their skills and knowledge.