Speak-Up Techniques Result in Improved Outcomes in Simulated Anesthesia Induction

Anesthesia teams that use speak-up communication techniques achieve higher levels of technical team performance than those teams that fall short in using speak-up techniques, according to an observational study of simulated anesthesia inductions. The study, published in the November 2012 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, evaluated 31 anesthesia teams—each consisting of a registered anesthesia nurse and resident anesthesiologist—encountering eight nonroutine events during the simulated induction. A team of two observers reviewed the video of the simulation to evaluate team members’ ability to request clarifications and to challenge or correct certain decisions made during the procedure.