Malignant Hyperthermia Preparedness Training: Using Cognitive Aids and Emergency Checklists in the Perioperative Setting

PurposeThe purpose of this project was to prepare perioperative staff at a military ambulatory surgical center to respond to a malignant hyperthermia crisis effectively with the assistance the Stanford emergency manual cognitive aid.DesignThis is an evidence-based practice improvement project.MethodsMultidisciplinary perioperative staff at a military ambulatory surgical center participated in an in-service about the Stanford emergency manual cognitive aid tool, and a simulation exercise was conducted to practice using the tool during a malignant hyperthermia crisis. Preproject and postproject implementation surveys were to used to measure staff perceptions of and willingness to use cognitive aids/emergency checklists during perioperative emergencies.FindingsStaff positive perception of and willingness to use the Stanford emergency manual cognitive aid improved after implementation of an education session and simulation exercise with the checklist tool.ConclusionsIntroduction of the Stanford emergency manual cognitive aid to multidisciplinary perioperative staff with an in-service and simulated malignant hyperthermia scenario improved staff perception of cognitive aid use during emergencies. Use of cognitive aid checklists during simulated perioperative emergencies was shown to reduce missed critical treatment steps.