Anesthesiologists are viewed as experts in resuscitation and crisis management. We strive to provide our patients with safe O.R. environments. As lifelong learners, we continuously challenge ourselves to proactively adapt our practice with changing guidelines to improve patient outcomes. It has been shown that cognitive aids can help us realize this goal by improving team coordination and unity.3,4 However, their simple presence in the O.R. does not equal their use in emergencies. Some barriers to their everyday use include lack of familiarity with the cognitive aid, checklist design and concerns by those who use them of being negatively judged by others.3-5,14
As a new anesthesia intern, I (MG) have not yet been exposed to anesthesia crisis scenarios. However, perhaps I have a unique opportunity by being a part of this conversation at the beginning of my career so that I can start...
