intervention. Multivariate Despite receiving Basic Life Support analysis was used to training during medical school, FY1 establish independent prognostic doctors reported low confidence in factors. airway management. Simple airway techniques, if performed correctly, can Results be life saving in the emergency situation. We planned to provide For the 89 patients (57%) with training in basic airway management preoperative anaemia, there was a to FY1s to improve their competence significantly reduced overall median and confidence. survival (16.0 months; 95 % confidence interval, 12.0-19.1) Methods compared to 67 non-anaemic patients (43%) (29.0 months; 95 % confidence FY1s were invited to attend a interval, 19.7-38.3; P<0.0001, log-rank teaching session test). Participants managed an emergency However, preoperative anaemia was scenario, assessed by a structured not related to 90-day survival (P>0.5). marking scheme In a Cox-regression analysis, A teaching session on airway preoperative anaemia was a predictor techniques was delivered of overall survival (P<0.05) Further opportunity to manage the independent of established scenario was offered following pathological prognostic factors, teaching including tumour stage, size and lymph A questionnaire assessed subjective node status, and administration of confidence in airway management perioperative blood transfusion. before and after teaching Conclusion Results Preoperative anaemia is commonly Seven FY1s attended the session. present in resectable PDAC and None had attended a Basic Life negatively influences overall survival Support course in the preceding 6 independent not only of established months. The average score (maximum pathological factors but also of 17) for the scenario prior to skills perioperative blood transfusion. These teaching was 10.4, and after 16.5, a data have implications for the clear improvement. Analysis of optimization of patients in the participant questionnaires revealed perioperative period in addition to that confidence in various aspects of longer-term risk stratification. airway management was enhanced (Table 1). Airway Training for FY1s Introduction 1: Mean Likert scores of confidence in aspects of Basic Life
intervention. Multivariate analysis was used to establish independent prognostic factors. Results For the 89 patients (57%) with preoperative anaemia, there was a significantly reduced overall median survival (16.0 months; 95 % confidence interval, 12.0-19.1) compared to 67 non-anaemic patients (43%) (29.0 months; 95 % confidence interval, 19.7-38.3; P<0.0001, log-rank test). However, preoperative anaemia was not related to 90-day survival (P>0.5). In a Cox-regression analysis, preoperative anaemia was a predictor of overall survival (P<0.05) independent of established pathological prognostic factors, including tumour stage, size and lymph node status, and administration of perioperative blood transfusion. Conclusion Preoperative anaemia is commonly present in resectable PDAC and negatively influences overall survival independent not only of established pathological factors but also of perioperative blood transfusion. These data have implications for the optimization of patients in the perioperative period in addition to longer-term risk stratification. Airway Training for FY1s Introduction Despite receiving Basic Life Support training during medical school, FY1 doctors reported low confidence in airway management. Simple airway techniques, if performed correctly, can be life saving in the emergency situation. We planned to provide training in basic airway management to FY1s to improve their competence and confidence. Methods FY1s were invited to attend a teaching session Participants managed an emergency scenario, assessed by a structured marking scheme A teaching session on airway techniques was delivered Further opportunity to manage the scenario was offered following teaching A questionnaire assessed subjective confidence in airway management before and after teaching Results Seven FY1s attended the session. None had attended a Basic Life Support course in the preceding 6 months. The average score (maximum 17) for the scenario prior to skills teaching was 10.4, and after 16.5, a clear improvement. Analysis of participant questionnaires revealed that confidence in various aspects of airway management was enhanced (Table 1). 1: Mean Likert scores of confidence in aspects of Basic Life