Preparing for Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Simulation Scenario for Anesthesia Providers

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anesthesiology
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) requires specialized knowledge and critical actions.
• Junior residents need targeted preparation before clinical CPB rotations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce learners to critical actions and concepts of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
• To provide a preparatory simulation experience for junior residents before their cardiac anesthesia rotation.

Main Methods:

• A high-fidelity human patient simulator with anesthesia machine and monitors was utilized.
• Simulation case files included case narratives, learning objectives, and critical action summaries.
• Eight CA-1 or CA-2 residents participated in the simulation during the 2016 academic year.

Main Results:

• Cardiac anesthesia faculty observed a significantly improved learning curve for residents who completed the simulation.
• The simulation effectively prepared trainees for their initial clinical experience with CPB.

Conclusions:

• The CPB simulation is a highly effective educational tool for cardiac anesthesia residents.
• This simulation has been integrated into the cardiac anesthesia curriculum at the University of Iowa.