O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 3 9
could possibly participate in a real event to
take part in the exercise. Have staff practice
reconstituting outdated dantrolene, so they
get a hands-on feel for hooking IV tubing to
bags of sterile water, drawing 60 ccs of the
water, pumping it into a vial of dantrolene
and handing the vial to another staff member
to shake. Include all members of the staff in
the exercise, especially if you manage a small
surgery center or surgical department,
because you never know who will be forced
to prepare the rescue agent during an emer-
gent situation. At our small hospital, for
example, we went through 15 vials of out-
dated dantrolene, so every staff member
could take a turn preparing the drug for use.
Consider video recording a drill with the aim of reviewing the action as a
team of Monday morning quarterbacks to see what went well and areas where
things could have gone better. Seeing — and critiquing — your team in action
could be an invaluable learning experience for everyone involved in the drill.
Train your staff to recognize the early warning signs of MH — unexpected
tachycardia or tachypnea, generalized muscle rigidity and hypertension.
Although anesthesia providers are likely the first to notice the telltale signs of a
true emergency, nurses who are familiar with how the condition will progress
are better prepared to know what to look for and set the emergency response
wheels in motion.
2. Hold tabletop discussions
You don't always have to run a full drill to find out how your team can improve
• SAFETY CHECK Review the contents of the MH cart to
make sure needed supplies are stocked and up to date.
Debra
Beauchesne,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
