An Inexpensive Conceptual Training Model for Transvenous Pacemaker Placement

• Published in: The western journal of emergency medicine Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 180 - 183
• Main Authors: Young, Timothy P, Tango, Jennifer M, Toomasian, Cory J, Kendric, Kayla J, Bengiamin, Deena I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States University of California Digital Library - eScholarship 19.12.2019; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine; eScholarship Publishing, University of California
• Subjects: Clinical Competence - standards; Confidence; Educational Advances; Emergency medical care; Emergency Medicine - education; Equipment Design; Humans; Internship and Residency; Models, Anatomic; Pacemaker, Artificial; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teaching Materials
• ISSN: 1936-900X; 1936-9018; 1936-9018
• DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2019.12.44366

Emergent transvenous (TV) pacemaker placement can be life-saving, but it has associated complications. Emergency medicine (EM) educators must be able to teach this infrequent procedure to trainees. We constructed a conceptually-focused, inexpensive training model made from polyvinyl chloride pipes and connectors, vinyl tubing, and a submersible pump. Cost of the model was $51. We tested the model with a group of 15 EM residents. We then asked participants to complete a survey reporting confidence with the procedure before and after the session. Confidence was compared using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. Confidence improved after the session, with a median confidence before the session of 2 (minimally confident; interquartile range [IQR] 1-3) and a median confidence after the session of 4 (very confident; IQR 3-4, p=0.001). All residents agreed that the model helped them to understand the process of placing a TV pacemaker. Our TV pacemaker placement model was inexpensive and allowed for practice of a complex emergency procedure with direct visualization. It improved trainee confidence.