Dear      :

To ensure quality training of medical personnel, I request you replace your current endotrachael intubation (ETI) training exercises on [INSERT TYPE OF ANIMAL USED] with modern, realistic, cost-effective simulator technology that replicates the human, not [INSERT TYPE OF ANIMAL USED], anatomy.

The skills learned by using [INSERT TYPE OF ANIMAL USED] cannot be applied to humans because the anatomical differences between the two species are too great. There are a great number of humans who have been maimed, paralyzed or killed by young doctors and nurses who thought they could transfer "skills" learned by performing intubation on animals. In many cases, lawsuits have been introduced into the courts because of serious human injuries or death.

Expertise on [INSERT TYPE OF ANIMAL USED] or other animals does not equate to skill in performing intubation on humans; mistakenly thinking that it does is dangerous and harmful to human health and safety! You are not imparting useful skills to your students, you are merely mutilating sentient, innocent creatures who, without their consent, are at your mercy.

The advantages of non-animal ETI training have been demonstrated in the medical literature. An Annals of Emergency Medicine study detailed the high success rates achieved by paramedics trained on mannequins exclusively. In addition to their high performance rate, "88% of the mannequin-only group felt confident in their intubation skills during their first actual encounter and [felt] that their first human ETI was no different than their repetitive practices on the mannequin."

One such company, HT Medical Systems in Gaithersburg, Maryland, offers surgical simulators that, unlike anything previously available, allow realistic rehearsal without risk to patients. Three product lines cover intravenous therapies, endoscopy, and endovascular interventions. Please check out these and other more appropriate, re-usable, COST-EFFECTIVE products and stop this inhumane and cruel training practice with its dangerous consequences to human health and safety!

Sincerely,

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