Preparedness of Pediatric Healthcare Personnel for Emergency Airway Management: A Simulation-Based Audit in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka

Introduction: Emergency airway management (EAM) in paediatrics demands a high level of preparedness, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study audited the preparedness of paediatric healthcare staff for EAM and evaluated the impact of a simulation-based intervention.
Methods: A prospective audit was conducted using an unannounced drill with a low-fidelity manikin to assess equipment, drug availability, patient preparation, protocol adherence, and team role allocation. A re-audit was carried out following a structured training session.
Results: Functional equipment availability increased from 40% to 80% (Z = –3.357, p = 0.001), while drug availability improved with the introduction of fentanyl but without statistical significance (Z = –1.000, p = 0.317). Patient preparation rose from 60% to 100% (N = 5, p = 0.500), protocol adherence improved from 41.2% to 82.4% (N = 17, p = 0.016), and team role allocation increased from 42.9% to 85.7% (N = 7, p = 0.250).
Conclusion: Overall, simulation-based training significantly enhanced paediatric EAM preparedness, particularly in equipment functionality and procedural adherence, highlighting its effectiveness as a low-cost educational tool to improve patient safety and readiness for paediatric airway emergencies.