| Jun H, et al, 2000, USA | Medical students received instruction on use of screw tip IO, or normal bone marrow aspiration needle. They were then tested on simulated IO infusion on ribs and turkey thighs. Two attempts, one after demo, one practised. | Randomised experimental study. 42 medical students were randomised as to which needle they used first | Firstt attempt (written instruction and demo) | | Experimental model was bone only (rather than bone plus flesh) |
| Time to placement | Less for standard (33 s v 54 s p = 0.19) | Poor model for “adult” bone |
| Ease of insertion (10 point VAS) | Less for standard (3.2 v 6.3 p<0.001) | Difficult to know whether skills will degrade to “unpractised” level with time |
| Success rate | 83% for standard v 76% for screw tip p = NS | Comparison was against “standard bone marrow” needle rather than “standard IO needle” |
| | | Second attempt (practised) | | |
| | | Time to placement | Less for screw tip (32 s v 27 s p = NS) | |
| | | Ease of insertion (10 point VAS) | Less for standard (2.5 v 5 p<0.001) | |
| | | Success rate | 79% for standard v 95% for screw tip. p<0.05 | |