Educating Perioperative Nurses About Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity Using High-Fidelity Simulation

The rarity of perianesthetic catastrophic events creates a challenge in training support staff in the treatment of emergencies such as local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST). Simulation learning offers a unique venue in which to safely encounter rare events.

This study aimed to evaluate knowledge retention regarding LAST in perianesthetic nursing staff using high-fidelity simulation and a short didactic session.

Nurses were recruited from perioperative locations to participate in a simulated scenario of LAST and engage in a short didactic session.

Simulation and education occurred in the high-fidelity simulation center at the University of Wisconsin Hospital.

Thirteen nurses from the preoperative, post-anesthesia, and block nursing teams participated in the study.

Participants completed a pre-test before participating in the simulation, followed by a formal debrief and short lecture. They then completed post-tests and a short survey focused on self-efficacy and review of the simulation experience.

Test scores, compared to the pre-test, improved significantly on the immediately-post, 1-month, and 3-month assessments. Participants felt more equipped to handle crisis scenarios.

Experiential learning often results in significant knowledge acquisition and retention. Participants in this study improved their test scores regarding LAST and increased their sense of self-efficacy and ability to handle crisis scenarios after taking part in a high-fidelity simulation.