AORN journal
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Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare, life-threatening event. Many clinicians are unprepared to manage an MH crisis in the perioperative setting because it requires the use of low-frequency, high-risk skills and procedures. Simulation is a recognized educational method for cumulative and integrative learning in a safe environment that resembles real-life clinical scenarios. ⋯ Simulation teaching provided OR personnel with an opportunity for skill development, teamwork, interdisciplinary communication, and problem solving. Personnel responded favorably and identified positive outcomes, such as role clarity, improved anticipatory response, and overall team cohesion. In addition, the project included updating the MH cart and writing the hospital's MH policy.
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Disasters disrupt everyone's lives, and they can disrupt the flow and function of an OR as well as affect personnel on a professional and personal level even though perioperative departments and their personnel are used to caring for trauma patients and coping with surprises. The Boston Marathon bombing was a new experience for personnel at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. This article discusses the incidents surrounding the bombing and how personnel at this hospital met the challenge of caring for patients and the changes we made after the experience to be better prepared in the event a response to a similar incident is needed.
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Nearly half of all surgical complications are considered preventable. Early research regarding preprocedural surgical safety checklist briefings revealed that this process led to improved surgical complication rates. We conducted a literature search to gather evidence regarding compliance in conducting briefings, outcomes of briefings, and surgical team members' perceptions toward the use and efficacy of checklist briefings. ⋯ The studies used a variety of methodologies and outcome measures. Common themes in the studies included enhanced patient safety, improved compliance over time, and increased communication among team members when checklists were used. As research continues on surgical safety checklists and briefings, a great opportunity exists for perioperative nurses to make contributions to the evidence.