A National Survey Analysis of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists’ (CRNAs) Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness of Video Laryngoscopes for Difficult Airways

Video laryngoscopes (VLs) offer benefits by improving visualization and first-attempt success and decreasing failed intubations. This study examined the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of using VLs by certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model published by Fred Davis in 1989. The study further investigated the influence of patient airway types, provider characteristics (age, years of practice, intubation frequency), and clinical factors (hospital size and technology availability) on subsequent selection and usage. The cross-sectional design included a one-time national survey using a purposive 3,000-CRNA sample. Data analysis included univariate, bivariate, and multivariate methodologies with multiple linear and binary logistic regression models. Approximately 71% of CRNAs were extremely likely to find VLs useful and easy to use and approximately 60% reported their selection and use when confronting difficult airways. Additionally, CRNAs selecting VLs for routine airways 50% to 100% of the time reported 4.49 times greater odds of always using VLs (100%) for difficult airways compared with CRNAs using this technology infrequently. This study provides current usage data by CRNAs and represents a first-ever assessment exploring CRNA perceptions of usefulness and ease in utilizing VLs in the operating room setting.