Non-technical skills in resuscitation

Question 1

Define non-technical skills

Answer 1

The cognitive, social and personal resource skills that contribute to safe and efficient task performance

Question 2

What are the 4 key non-technical skills in resuscitation?

Answer 2

1. Situational awareness
2. Decision-making
3. Team working and leadership
4. Task management

Question 3

What is benefits is good leadership behaviour correlated with in a resuscitation attempt?

Answer 3

• Improved quality of CPR
• Shorter hands-off time/pre-shock pauses
• Earlier time to first shock

Question 4

Situational awareness in a cardiac arrest will include perception of environment and events taking place, comprehension of their meaning and future projection. What are the 3 main components of situational awareness in an arrest?

Answer 4

1. Info gathering - gaining info on what the potential causes of the cardiac arrest are and confirming everyones names/skills/roles.
2. Interpretation of info - confirming diagnosis/cause and determine immediate actions needed
3. Future planning - consider what the next steps are and impact of any interventions e.g. thrombolysis, PCI etc.

Question 5

Define decision making

Answer 5

This is the congnitive process of choosing a specific course of action from several alternatives

Question 6

Appreciate this list of common decisions made during a cardiac arrest:
* Choice of shock energy used to defibrillate
* Likely reversible cause of the cardiac arrest
* Appropriate treatment such as drugs or airway management
* How long to continue resuscitation
* Appropriate resuscitation care

Question 7

Define a team

Answer 7

A team is a group of individuals working together with a common goal or purpose

Question 8

What 8 characteristics make a good team member ?

Answer 8

Competant
Committed
Openly communicates
Supportive
Accountable
Prepared to admit when help is needed
Creative
Participates in providing feedback

Question 9

What qualities make a good team leader? (11 qualities, not exhaustive)

Answer 9

• Accepts the responsibility/role
• Knows everyone by name & their capabilities
• Able to delegate appropriately
• Knowledgeable and credible
• Recognises own limitations
• Good communication
• Calm
• Empathetic
• Assertive and authoritative
• Tolerant
• Good situational awareness

Question 10

What should the team leader do early on in the cardiac arrest?

Answer 10

State they are assuming role of team leader

Question 11

Go over TEAM tool used in ALS scenarios

Question 12

What 2 checklists can/should be used for effective communication/handover in emergency scenarios?

Answer 12

SBARD/RSVP (add photo)

Question 13

How often is communication problems a factor in adverse incidents or near-miss reports?

Answer 13

80% of the time.

Question 14

What should the resus/arrest team do each morning and why?

Answer 14

Meet to assign roles and identify everyones skills/competencies (as often a new team each day).