Ideas That Work: Getting Coached Up to Prepare for an MH Crisis

Practical pearls from your colleagues

North York General Hospital in Toronto realized in 2024 that it needed a more structured approach to managing a potential malignant hyperthermia (MH) event. The hospital considered the situation regarding a response to the rare-but-serious sudden-onset condition to be a significant gap in patient care.

So the hospital’s leadership developed an MH policy along with targeted education sessions to prepare its staff to implement it smoothly. The curriculum was designed to deepen understanding of MH etiology, triggers and clinical manifestations; enhance practical skills in the immediate assessment and treatment of MH, including the administration of dantrolene; foster teamwork and communication through simulation-based crisis scenarios; and ensure comprehensive knowledge of the new MH policy and related procedural updates.

The sessions were a mix of lectures, interactive task stations that included a scavenger hunt of the MH cart, and hands-on simulations.

“Initial results showed a significant increase in staff confidence and competency in managing MH cases. The integration of the MH policy and targeted education enhanced the knowledge base and promoted safe patient care,” according to a poster about the initiative at AORN’s Global Surgical Conference & Expo in Boston earlier this year.

“This initiative showcases how collective ambition and determination can drive clinical excellence. By coming together to combat MH, our healthcare team has taken a crucial step forward in safeguarding patient safety and enhancing care quality within the perioperative department,” the authors said. OSM