2 4 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E J U LY 2 0 1 6
facility, which was important because,
again, we wanted the simulation
to be as realistic as possible. We
reconstituted 3 or 4 vials and
found that mixing it was more chal-
lenging than staff members expected.
I've heard of other facilities using sub-
stances like powdered drink mixes in
drills, but those are made to dissolve pretty
easily. I'm not sure they provide a
realistic experience. By using
expired dantrolene, we were able to see what it's really like without depleting
all of our resources for future simulations. I can now say from experience, that
it definitely takes more than one person to do the reconstituting and, ideally,
more than 2, because it's a labor-intensive task.
5
Learn to communicate
As always seems to be the case, communication during our drills proved to
be one of the most important challenges. That's another reason it's so
important to practice in a setting that's as realistic as possible. If you practice like
it's the real deal, you'll always identify opportunities for improvement.
Some needed communication improvements were very basic, like making
sure everyone knows where the MH toolbox or cart is, knowing the best places
to get large amounts of ice quickly and being aware of where the dantrolene is
kept (see "Do You Know Where Your Dantrolene Is Stored?"). For example,
some facilities have liter bags of fluids in the freezer ready to go, or a big ice
machine where ice can be scooped out, particularly if they have a cardiac OR,
since perfusion typically requires a lot of ice. But recovery room nurses or oth-
ers who don't work in the cardiac OR may not know where that ice is. All of
those facility-specific factors need to be addressed.
• EASY REFERENCE "Badge buddies" help staff members understand what
to do both before and after the MH cart arrives.
