Abstract
This is the Capstone abstract:
Background: Managing rare anesthesia emergencies (eg, amniotic fluid embolism, anaphylaxis, malignant hyperthermia, or an unanticipated difficult airway) are challenging. Having immediate access to evidence-based solutions may improve patient safety. Despite significant training of anesthesia providers, studies have shown that recall of best treatment practices are less than optimal during stressful situations. This can be partially remedied by use of a collection of evidence-based checklists - an emergency manual.
Method: A pilot project implementing an adult-specific emergency manual at five anesthetizing locations at a level 1 trauma hospital to assess the awareness, interest, and knowledge among the peri-operative team towards utilization of a collection of evidence-based checklists.
Results: Convenience sampled surveys using a pretest posttest design tested if the awareness, interest, and knowledge towards the use of an emergency manual increased after implementation. Results showed a widespread pre-implementation awareness, interest, and knowledge, yet indicated this level increased 15% after implementation and that a substantial majority of previous users recommended the utilization of an emergency manual during crises situations.
Conclusions: Literature shows the use of an emergency manual improves management of rare anesthesia emergencies and, thereby, increases patient safety. Awareness, interest, and knowledge towards the use of an emergency manual can increase after implementation.
Keywords: emergency manual, cognitive aid, checklist, anesthesia.