Project Lead: Dr. Hooi Lim

A successful one-day anesthesia crisis management simulation session took place January 20, 2018 in the Operating Room at Richmond Hospital attended by 10 RH anesthesiologists. Led by anesthesiologist Dr. Chris Chin of BC Children’s Hospital and Mr. Mark Searra of the VCH Simulation Centre, there were six emergency scenarios simulated – anaphylaxis, malignant hyperthermia, failed intubation/oxygenation, pediatric trauma, obstetric massive hemorrhage and systemic local anesthetic toxicity.

“For each scenario, there was a team leader, a helper, and other assistants (including surgeon, operating room nurses, anesthesia assistant),” reports organizer and anesthesiologist Dr. Hooi Lim. “In addition, there were two observers doing critiques in the debriefing sessions after each scenario. The debriefing sessions were most educational. Each scenario was deconstructed. Positive and negative aspects were discussed. Suggestions were made to improve the management of each crisis scenario. Team building exercises and effective communication were emphasized. The most valuable lessons learned were the familiarization of local resources that can be used to manage rare anesthesia crisis situations. With the passing of each scenario, the participants functioned more effectively as a team.”