Medication safety simulation training for anesthesia professionals

Background: Medication errors in anaesthesia occur at alarming rates and can increase perioperative morbidity and mortality. Standardized nurse anaesthesiology curricula for medication preparation and administration do not exist; rather, most nurse anaesthesia programs rely on the trainee's former critical care nursing experience. Methods: This research study utilized low-fidelity simulation-based education to provide education and hands-on skills practice in single dilution, double-dilution, and reconstitution of common aesthetic medications. Participants self-assessed medication safety knowledge and confidence presimulation, post simulation, and three weeks post simulation. A simulation checklist assessed participant performance of medication preparation tasks. Results: Participants demonstrated confidence and competence in single-dilution and reconstitution activities. However, early-program simulation improved participant performance and confidence in double-dilution and medication calculations. Confidence remained improved over the 3-week postsimulation period. Conclusions: Low-fidelity simulation is a simple, cost-effective method to improve anaesthesia trainee confidence and knowledge in advanced medication preparation skills.

Duke Scholars

Author Virginia Chris Simmons School of Nursing