This simulation-based educational activity focuses on the recognition, evaluation, and management of delayed emergence from anesthesia in the postoperative setting. Using a high-fidelity simulation case, learners are required to assess a postoperative patient who does not awaken as expected, interpret clinical data, generate a differential diagnosis, and initiate appropriate management. The activity emphasizes clinical reasoning, patient safety, interprofessional communication, and crisis resource management. Supporting materials include a complete simulation case, patient history, anesthesia record, diagnostic studies, a critical action checklist, and a didactic presentation to reinforce key learning points.
Target Learners
- Anesthesiology residents
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) students
- Practicing anesthesiologists
- Other perioperative clinicians involved in postoperative care
Equipment and Materials Needed
- High-fidelity adult patient simulator or equivalent simulation mannequin
- Simulated operating room or postanesthesia care unit (PACU) environment
- Standard anesthesia monitoring equipment
- Printed or electronic materials, including:
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- Simulation case and patient history
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- Anesthesia record
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- Laboratory results
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- Head CT report
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- Critical action checklist
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- Delayed emergence didactic slide presentation
- Audio/visual equipment for prebriefing and debriefing
- Facilitator and simulation technician support
Estimated Time to Complete the Activity
- Total duration: Approximately 60–90 minutes
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- Prebriefing: ~10 minutes
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- Simulation scenario: ~15–20 minutes
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- Debriefing and didactic discussion: ~30–60 minutes