Regular, simple, in situ, multidisciplinary team training should form part of everyday practice. As well as enabling the rehearsal of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for serious, complex and rare emergencies, of untoward events and new processes, such training can help to identify system process gaps, leading to longer term improvements in safety and efficiency.
Multidisciplinary teams should have regular, more in-depth simulation exercises, moving the focus to the understanding of human factors and effective communication.75
Simulation based learning techniques should be used to assist the department and organisation to identify areas of existing positive practice and areas requiring improvement, as well as supporting the development of technical and non-technical skills.76
Simple and more in-depth team training exercises should include structured feedback.76
The outcomes of these team training exercises should lead to change in practice where needed.76
The anaesthetic department should have a lead for multidisciplinary team training and simulation.76
The department should have access to the resources to support a comprehensive system of multidisciplinary team training in all clinical settings to achieve enhanced patient care.76
There should be transparent processes in place to facilitate ownership by the department of aspects of clinical governance specific to anaesthesia. This should link with the wider organisation governance processes, especially where there is overlap with other services.
The organisation of clinical governance in the department should bring all different aspects so that it is managed as a whole.
Departments should consider establishing a clinical governance committee/group which covers all aspects of governance pertinent to the anaesthetic service and can feed into the wider organisation/board governance structures.
