Code Blue Emergencies: A Team Task Analysis and Educational Initiative.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to identify factors that have a positive or negative influence on resuscitation team performance during emergencies in the operating room (OR) and post-operative recovery unit (PAR) at a major Canadian teaching hospital. This information was then used to implement a team training program for code blue emergencies.

Methods: In 2009/10, all OR and PAR nurses and 19 anesthesiologists at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) were invited to complete an anonymous, 10 minute written questionnaire regarding their code blue experience.

High-fidelity simulation in anesthesiology training: a survey of Canadian anesthesiology residents' simulator experience.

Purpose: The objective of this survey was to explore Canadian anesthesiology residents' educational experience with high-fidelity simulation and to improve understanding of the factors perceived to have either a positive or a negative effect on residents' learning.

Methods: In 2008, all Canadian anesthesiology residents (n = 599) were invited to complete a ten-minute anonymous online survey. Survey questions were derived from two sources, a literature search of MEDLINE (1966 to present), EMBASE (1980 to present), and the Cochrane and Campbell collaboration libraries and the experience of 25 pilot residents and the lead author.

Accuracy and precision of metered doses of nitroglycerin lingual spray.

Purpose: The accuracy and precision of nitroglycerin lingual spray are examined.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty-four bottles of nitroglycerin lingual spray product (0.4 mg nitroglycerin per dose, 75 doses per bottle) were collected from the hospital pharmacy at Vancouver General Hospital.

Excessive hypertension and pulmonary edema after electroconvulsive therapy.

A 53-year-old right-handed man was scheduled to receive 6 treatments of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for intractable depression. He was being treated for long-standing hypertension with nadolol and had no history of cardiopulmonary disease. Six months previously, he received 6 nondominant, unilateral ECT treatments.