tasks were promptly delegated, there was no confirmation that these
tasks were completed. We also identified the need for additional help
during the off-hours.
Now, in a crisis, the team leader will delegate tasks to an individual,
and the individual will acknowledge and then report the completion of
the task. Also, if an MH event happens during an evening, night, week-
end or holiday, the nurse circulator will seek out an administrative coor-
dinator, who can send for additional assistance.
Preparing for an MH event is just one of many drills we have to con-
duct — other examples include airway drills and fire-safety drills —
so drill fatigue can become an issue. That's why we add a new wrin-
kle each time we run the drill; if you're doing the same drill over and
over, your staff might be less receptive and less likely to retain the
information. Changing things up can also expose some weak links in
your response plan. In our second fire-drill simulation, for example,
we decided our patient would be a child, and in the process we
learned that our hospital doesn't have a specific ICU for pediatric
patients, so we'd need to transfer a child in an emergency situation to
another facility for post-acute care.
Where are we now?
We're well ahead of where we where 2 or 3 years ago. The simulations
have helped us close the gaps in our communication and given us the
M A R C H 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 9
you stock a minimum of 36 20-mg vials of Revonto or Dantrium, and a
minimum of 3 250-mg vials of Ryanodex.
Think of dantrolene as a defibrillator: kept ready for use at all
times, even though the need is rare. "No one should feel comfort-
able that [MH] isn't going to happen to them," says Dr. Watson.
— Bill Donahue
