Trigger Video of Simulated Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest

This brief video filmed at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System's Simulation Center, demonstrates team management of an intraoperative cardiac arrest. The impetus for creating it was feedback from anesthesia residents that they want to see models for managing intraoperative crises. These residents already participate in extensive training in a high fidelity patient simulator. They appreciate the chance to make mistakes without hurting patients and to debrief regarding both medical and teamwork principles in their management of the scenarios. However, they felt they were missing actual examples of how to implement the principles of Crisis Resource Management. This trigger video is a first step in bridging the gap between theoretical principles and active application of these principles by trainees. We are now using this as a trigger video for interactive discussion in both resident and instructor simulation training courses at Stanford University School of Medicine and the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System. We do not present it as a perfect model, but rather as a practical example of how principles of Crisis Resource Management may be applied in action. Participants are encouraged to discuss how specific principles were applied effectively or not and how this affects patient care. Participates then proceed to several simulated scenarios during which they can practice, reflect on, and discuss how they themselves apply the principles of Crisis Resource Management.