Search

Liver transplantation is regarded as the gold standard for the treatment of a variety of fatal hepatic diseases. However, unsolved issues of chronic graft failure, ongoing organ donor shortages, and the increased use of marginal grafts call for the improvement of current concepts, such as the implementation of organ machine perfusion. In order to evaluate new methods of graft reconditioning and modulation, translational models are required. With respect to anatomical and physiological similarities to humans and recent progress in the field of xenotransplantation, pigs have become the main large animal species used in transplantation models. After the initial introduction of a porcine orthotopic liver transplant model by Garnier et al. in 1965, several modifications have been published over the past 60 years. Due to specifies-specific anatomical traits, a veno-venous bypass during the anhepatic phase is regarded as a necessity to reduce intestinal congestion and ischemia resulting in hemodynamic instability and perioperative mortality. However, the implementation of a bypass increases the technical and logistical complexity of the procedure. Furthermore, associated complications such as air embolism, hemorrhage, and the need for a simultaneous splenectomy have been reported previously. In this protocol, we describe a model of porcine orthotopic liver transplantation without the use of a veno-venous bypass. The engraftment of donor livers after static cold storage of 20 h - simulating extended criteria donor conditions - demonstrates that this simplified approach can be performed without significant hemodynamic alterations or intraoperative mortality and with regular uptake of liver function (as defined by bile production and liver-specific CYP1A2 metabolism). The success of this approach is ensured by an optimized surgical technique and a sophisticated anesthesiologic volume and vasopressor management. This model should be of special interest for workgroups focusing on the immediate postoperative course, ischemia-reperfusion injury, associated immunological mechanisms, and the reconditioning of extended criteria donor organs.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Eine hohe Versorgungsqualität in der präklinischen Notfallmedizin zeichnet sich durch eine leitliniengerechte Therapie aus. Grundvoraussetzung für diese Therapie ist das Vorhalten der benötigten Medikamente entsprechend den gültigen Leitlinienempfehlungen. Ob dies flächendeckend gewährleistet wird, ist aktuell unklar. Ein einheitlicher Standard zur medikamentösen Ausstattung arztbesetzter Rettungsmittel in Deutschland existiert nicht. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Identifikation von wichtigen Diagnosen und der zu ihrer Therapie benötigten Medikamente. Ein Abgleich dieser Ergebnisse mit der realen Ausstattung arztbesetzter Rettungsmittel ermöglicht die Bewertung hinsichtlich leitliniengerechter Therapieoptionen. Material und Methoden Nach einer strukturierten Leitlinienrecherche wurden Tracerdiagnosen definiert und ihnen relevante Medikamente zugeordnet. Hier wurde auch der Evidenz- und Empfehlungsgrad berücksichtigt. In einem zweiten Schritt wurden Ärztliche Leitungen Rettungsdienst zu der Ausstattung der von ihnen verantworteten Rettungsmittel befragt und die Ergebnisse mit den empfohlenen Medikamenten verglichen. Ergebnisse Insgesamt wurden 156 verschiedene Medikamente identifiziert. Der Median der vorgehaltenen Medikamente beträgt 58 bei einer minimalen Vorhaltung eines Standorts von 35 Medikamenten und maximaler Vorhaltung mehrerer Standorte von 77 Medikamenten. Diskussion In der vorliegenden Erhebung wurden die in Leitlinien empfohlenen Medikamente mit der realen Ausstattung von arztbesetzten Rettungsmitteln verglichen. Insgesamt zeigt sich, verglichen mit einer Studie aus dem Jahr 2011, eine verbesserte Strukturqualität. Die empfohlenen Medikamente werden zu einem hohen Maß prähospital vorgehalten. Die Daten dieser Erhebung können von Rettungsdienstbereichen in ganz Deutschland zur Beurteilung ihrer individuellen Strukturqualität genutzt werden. Graphic abstract

Objective Perioperative coagulation monitoring and transfusions were evaluated. Methods 70 cases were included. Time points: before (PRE), after surgery (POST), day 1, day 3, day 7. Standard and patient near tests were assessed. Groups were: Transfused (TG); Control (CG). Results 23 patients were transfused (TG), 47 were not (CG). PRE haemoglobin was reduced, coagulation time (CT) was prolonged in TG. FIBTEM decrease was higher in TG. Leukocytes were elevated in TG. ASPI decreased, TRAP and ADP aggregability increased in both groups. Conclusion CT, haemoglobin and fibrinogen were associated with transfusion. TRAP and ADP aggregability increased and could account for thromboembolism.

High quality of care in prehospital emergency medicine is characterized by guideline-based therapy. The basic prerequisite for this therapy is the availability of the required drugs in accordance with the current guideline recommendations. It is currently unclear whether this is guaranteed nationwide. There is no uniform standard regarding which drugs must be stocked in emergency medical services (EMS) vehicles staffed by physicians in Germany. The aim of the present study is to identify important diagnoses and the drugs required for their therapy. In a second step, medical directors throughout Germany were interviewed about current drugs available in their physician-staffed EMS vehicles and these were compared with the previously defined diagnosis-dependent drug lists.After a structured guideline search, tracer diagnoses were defined and relevant drugs were assigned to them. The levels of evidence and recommendations were also considered. In a second step, this was compared with the current drugs available in physician-staffed EMS vehicles.A total of 156 different medications were identified. The median number of medications stocked was 58; the minimum number of medications stocked was 35 at one site, while multiple sites stocked a maximum of 77 medications .The present study investigated stocked medications in physician-staffed EMS vehicles. Overall, compared to a 2011 study, drug availability has improved. Most of the recommended medications are available in physician-staffed vehicles in Germany. The data from this study can be used by EMS throughout Germany to evaluate their preparedness.

BACKGROUND The indication of hydroxyethyl starch is currently under critical discussion and albumin 5% (ALB) has an increasing use in the operating theatre. Therefore, ALB is routinely used in neurosurgical procedures and often combined with mannitol 20% (MAN). Purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the influence of the combination of MAN and ALB on blood coagulation and platelet function. METHODS 22 healthy volunteers were included into this study and 21 analysed. Blood was obtained and diluted into five groups: (1) 7% dilution with MAN, (2) 10% dilution with ALB (3) 17% dilution with isotonic balanced electrolyte solution, (4) 17% dilution with MAN + ALB and (5) undiluted blood as control group (CON). Rotational thrombelastometry via ROTEM® (EXTEM, FIBTEM-Test) and thrombocyte aggregometry via Multiplate® (ASPI, ADP and TRAP-test) were used to detect differences within the intervention groups and compared to the control group. RESULTS The maximum clot firmness in the FIBTEM test decreased under the normal range with the combination of MAN+ALB: 8mm (5.5-11) compared to CON: 15mm (12.5-20), p

Introduction Laryngeal tubes (LT) are supraglottic airway devices routinely used in emergency airway management. During cardiac arrest in a swine model, the carotid artery blood flow is reduced after insertion of a LT. A compression of the internal carotid (ICA) artery by the inflated cuff was shown. Up to now there is no information if the LT has similar effects in humans with possible negative implications for use of the LT in case of cardiac arrest. Objective We hypothesized that the use of a LT in humans significantly reduces the blood flow in the ICA compared facemask ventilation. A significant reduction was defined as a 25% reduction from baseline values. Material and methods After induction of general anaesthesia and reaching a haemodynamic steady state (stable heart rate >50/min and mean arterial pressure >60 mmHg), blood flow within the ICA was measured via doppler sonography during pressure-controlled ventilation with facemask-, laryngeal tube- and laryngeal mask. Results We found no differences in the carotid blood flow. Neither between the facemask ventilation (right side 419 ± 159 ml min−1, left side 355 ± 120 ml min−1) and the laryngeal tube ventilation (right side 400 ± 131 ml min−1, left side 384 ± 124 ml min−1. p = 0.86 and p = 0.12), nor the facemask-ventilation and the laryngeal mask ventilation (right ICA 415 ± 150 ml min−1, left ICA 485 ± 274 ml min−1, p = 0.49 and 0.26). Conclusions In humans the LT does not impair blood flow of the internal carotid artery during ventilation in general anaesthesia. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings under the conditions of cardiac arrest.

Background: Hepatocyte transplantation (HTx) is regarded as a potential treatment modality for various liver diseases including acute liver failure. We developed a preclinical pig model to evaluate if HTx could safely support recovery from liver function impairment after partial hepatectomy. Methods: Pigs underwent partial hepatectomy with reduction of the liver volume by 50% to induce a transient but significant impairment of liver function. Thereafter, 2 protocols for HTx were evaluated and compared to a control group receiving liver resection only (group 1, n = 5). Portal pressure-controlled HTx was performed either immediately after surgery (group 2, n = 6) or 3 days postoperatively (group 3, n = 5). In all cases, liver regeneration was monitored by conventional laboratory tests and the novel noninvasive maximum liver function capacity (LiMAx) test with a follow-up of 4 weeks. Results: Partial hepatectomy significantly impaired liver function according to conventional liver function tests as well as LiMAx in all groups. A mean of 4.10 ± 1.1 × 108 and 3.82 ± 0.7 × 108 hepatocytes were transplanted in groups 2 and 3, respectively. All animals remained stable with respect to vital parameters during and after HTx. The animals in group 2 showed enhanced liver regeneration as observed by mean postoperative LiMAx values (621.5 vs. 331.3 μg/kg/h on postoperative day 7; p < 0.001) whereas HTx in group 3 led to a significant increase in mean liver-specific coagulation factor VII (112.2 vs. 54.0% on postoperative day 7; p = 0.003) compared to controls (group 1), respectively. In both experimental groups, thrombotic material was observed in the portal veins and pulmonary arteries on histology, despite the absence of clinical symptoms. Conclusion: HTx can be performed safely and effectively immediately after a partial (50%) hepatectomy as well as 3 days postoperatively, with comparable results regarding the enhancement of liver function and regeneration.

Emergency medical services work in the environment of high responsibility teams and have to act under unpredictable working conditions. Stress occurs and has potential of negative effects on tasks, teamwork, prioritization processes and cognitive control. Stress is not exclusively dictated by the situation-the individuals rate the situation of having the necessary skills that a particular situation demands. There are different occupational groups in the emergency medical services in Germany. Training, tasks and legal framework of these groups vary.The aim of this study was to identify professional group-specific stressors for emergency medical services. These stress situations can be used to design skills building tools to enable individuals to cope with these stressors.The participants were invited to the study via posters and social media. An expert group (minimum 6 months of experience) developed a set of items via a two-step online Delphi survey. The experts were recruited from all professional groups represented in the German emergency medical service. We evaluated the resulting parameters for relevance and validity in a larger collective. Lastly, we identified stress factors that could be grouped in relevant scales. In total 1017 participants (paramedics, physicians) took part in the final validation survey.After validation, we identified a catalogue of stressors with 7 scales and 25 items for EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) paramedics (KMO [Kayser-Meyer-Olkin criterion] 0.81), 6 scales and 24 items for advanced paramedics (KMO 0.82) and 6 scales and 24 items for EMS (Emergency Medical Service) physicians (KMO 0.82). For the professional group of EMT basic, the quality parameters did not allow further processing of the items. Professional group-specific scales for EMT paramedics are "professional limitations", "organizational framework", "expectations" and "questions of meaning". For advanced paramedics "appreciation", "exceptional circumstances" and "legal certainty" were identified. The EMT physicians named "handling third parties", "tolerance to ambiguity", "task management" and "pressure to act". A scale that is representative for all professional groups is "teamwork". Organizational circumstances occur in all groups. The item "unnecessary missions" for EMT paramedics and "legal concerns with the application of methods" for advanced paramedics are examples.Different stressors are relevant for the individual professional groups in the German emergency medical service. The developed catalogue can be used in the future to evaluate the subjective stress load of emergency service professionals. There are stressors that are inherent in the working environment (e.g. pressure to act) and others that can be improved through training (teamwork). We recommend training of general resistance as well as training of specific items (e.g., technical, nontechnical skills). All professionals mentioned items with respect to organizational factors. The responsible persons can identify potential for improvement based on the legal and organizational items. The EMT basic requires further subdivision according to task areas due to its variable applicability.HINTERGRUND: Rettungsdienste arbeiten unter den Bedingungen von „High Responsibility Teams“ und müssen auch unter unvorhersehbaren Arbeitsbedingungen agieren. Stress tritt auf und hat potenziell negative Auswirkungen auf Aufgaben, Teamarbeit und Priorisierungsprozesse.Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, berufsgruppenspezifische Stressoren für den Rettungsdienst zu identifizieren. Die identifizierten stressauslösenden Faktoren können genutzt werden, um Instrumente zum Aufbau von Fähigkeiten zu entwickeln, die es dem Einzelnen ermöglichen, mit diesen Stressoren umzugehen.Mittels einer zweistufigen Online-Delphi-Befragung, an der Teilnehmer aus allen im deutschen Rettungsdienst vertretenen Berufsgruppen teilnahmen, wurden Items entwickelt. Die daraus resultierenden Parameter wurden in einem größeren Kollektiv auf Relevanz und Validität überprüft. Schließlich wurden Belastungsfaktoren identifiziert, die in relevanten Skalen gruppiert werden konnten. Insgesamt nahmen 1017 Teilnehmer an der abschließenden Befragung teil.Nach der Validierung identifizierten wir einen Katalog von Stressoren mit 7 Skalen und 25 Items für Rettungsassistenten (KMO [Kayser-Meyer-Olkin Kriterium] 0,81), 6 Skalen und 24 Items für Notfallsanitäter (KMO 0,82) und 6 Skalen und 24 Items für Notärzte (KMO 0,82). Für die Berufsgruppe der Rettungssanitäter ließen die Gütekriterien keine weitere Bearbeitung der Items zu.Für die einzelnen Berufsgruppen im deutschen Rettungsdienst sind unterschiedliche Stressoren relevant. Der entwickelte Katalog kann in Zukunft zur Bewertung der subjektiven Stressbelastung von Rettungsdienstmitarbeitern eingesetzt werden. Der Rettungssanitäter bedarf aufgrund seiner unterschiedlichen Einsatzgebiete einer weiteren Untergliederung nach Aufgabenbereichen.

Theory: Individuals have different qualities, levels of willingness, and degrees of engagement for working in teams. This behaviour is termed ‘Collective Orientation’ (CO). Collective orientation can be trained and has a positive influence on team processes. Here, we investigated the effect of a simulator-based, Crisis Resource Management team training upon the participants’ CO. Hypotheses: We hypothesized (1) the scales of CO and Presence for lab-based microworld research (PLBMR) are applicable to the German anaesthesia teams, (2) the CO can be influenced by means of simulation training, (3) the training effect is dependent on sex and/or profession, and (4) the change of CO depends on the perceived presence of the participants in the scenario. Method: In a pre-post study, 66 nurses and doctors from various anaesthetic departments took part in a 1-day training course to improve non-technical skills. The primary outcome was the mean difference between the CO measured (via questionnaires) immediately before (T1) and after (T2) training. The change was then tested for dependence upon other variables, such as sex, professional group, and immersion into the simulation scenarios. Results: Collective orientation improved significantly after training (mean difference: 0.2; P Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that simulation-based training improves the participants’ COs, primarily by increasing affiliation. Subjective scenario reality did not significantly influence this. Nonetheless, it remains unclear as to what factors categorically resulted in this benefit. The shared experience in the course by all team members might trigger the effects. However, further studies are needed to identify the modifiable factors that can improve teamwork attitudes.

Context: Liver transplantation is a complex intervention, and early anticipation of personnel and logistic requirements is of great importance. Early identification of high-risk patients could prove useful. We therefore evaluated prognostic values of recipient parameters commonly available in the early preoperative stage regarding postoperative 30- and 90-day outcomes and intraoperative transfusion requirements in liver transplantation. Design, Setting, and Participants: All adult patients undergoing first liver transplantation at Hannover Medical School between January 2005 and December 2010 were included in this retrospective study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data as well as clinical courses were recorded. Prognostic values regarding 30- and 90-day outcomes were evaluated by uni- and multivariate statistical tests. Identified risk parameters were used to calculate risk scores. Results: There were 426 patients (40.4% female) included with a mean age of 48.6 (11.9) years. Absolute 30-day mortality rate was 9.9%, and absolute 90-day mortality rate was 13.4%. Preoperative leukocyte count >5200/μL, platelet count Conclusion: A score based on preoperative creatinine, leukocyte, and platelet values allowed early estimation of postoperative 30- and 90-day outcomes and intraoperative transfusion requirements in liver transplantation. Results might help to improve timely logistic and personal strategies.

ZusammenfassungAktuelle Aus- und Fortbildungskonzepte in der Akut- oder Notfallmedizin beinhalten Simulations- und Skill-Trainings unter Berücksichtigung von Methoden und Mechanismen der Fehler- und Zwischenfallprävention wie Human Factors, Shared mental Models und Closed-Loop-Communication. Immer noch ungeklärt ist die Frage nach der optimalen Kombination der einzelnen Methoden und Inhalte eines Fortbildungsprogramms in Abhängigkeit von individuellen Abteilungen eines Krankenhauses und dem einzelnen Mitarbeiter bzw. seinem individuellen Ausbildungsstand. Ein von uns angebotenes Konzept ist das „Lernen im geschützten Umfeld“: Hier werden Teilnehmer und Patient vor den negativen Auswirkungen einer konventionellen klinisch-praktischen Ausbildungssituation beschützt. Gleichzeitig profitieren die Teilnehmer in unserem Fortbildungsprogramm von standardisierten Kursmodellen. Das Ziel der optimalen Vorbereitung auf die klinische Tätigkeit und einer möglichst praktischen bzw. wirklichkeitsnahen Aus- und Fortbildung wird durch eine ständige Re-Evaluation der Inhalte und Methoden komplettiert. Die Implementierung eines solchen multimodalen Teamtrainings ist für jede Institution individuell anzupassen. Die Methoden zur Implementierung sollten standardisiert angewendet werden. Wir empfehlen eine Curriculumsentwicklung auf Grundlage des „Kern-Zyklus“. Auf dieser Basis gelingt die Kombination aus „Lernen im geschützten Umfeld“ und Zwischenfalltraining zur optimalen Vorbereitung auf eine akutmedizinische, klinische Tätigkeit mit dem Ziel einer höchstmöglichen Patientensicherheit.

ZusammenfassungSimulation ist eine Methode, virtuelle Lernumgebungen zu erzeugen. Mittels Simulation können Technical Skills, aber auch Soft Skills wie die Funktionsfähigkeit von Teams sehr gut vermittelt werden. Dieser Team-Aspekt wird nachfolgend vor dem Hintergrund spezifischer Trainingsmethoden näher beleuchtet. Der Artikel bezieht sich dabei auf „Zwischenfalltrainings“, die in den Zentren der Autoren einen großen Anteil des Kursangebotes einnehmen.

Objective: The psychological demands placed upon the emergency medical services, assures them of their place amongst High Responsibility Organizations. A high pressure to act and an irreversibility of situations are integral features of their workplaces. After the emergency services’ job profiles were restructured in Germany, the practical stage of paramedic training is now undertaken in these conditions. That is, they are trained by a supervising instructor whilst caring for critically ill patients. This paper aims to describe the requisite skills for such an instructor, formulate the associated competences as learning objectives, and develop a quality-measuring instrument for the description of training situations. Methods: The compilation of a competence catalogue was done via a two-step process: following a Delphi survey with an expert panel of practical trainers and trainees, a large cohort of parameters were validated in terms of their relevance. Those factors that formed scales together were identified. Results: After validating the results of the Delphi analysis, six scales (composed of 25 items in toto) were defined. They included the areas of "Training during times of action", "Training during periods of calm", "Background and practical relevance", "Character and personality traits", "Pedagogical competencies" and "Organizational behaviour". Conclusion: For the first time, a competency catalogue has been developed for instructors working in the emergency medical services from German-speaking countries. The catalogue focuses upon clinical training during the acute care of critically ill patients. The scales and items can be used for training-the-trainers, and also quality monitoring. Further research needs to focus on the application of the catalogue in clinical practice and evaluate the need for situational customization., Zielsetzung: Arbeitspsychologisch wird die Notfallmedizin zu den High Responsibility Organisationen gezählt. Hoher Handlungsdruck und Unumkehrbarkeit der Situation sind einige der Rahmenbedingungen dieses Arbeitsplatzes. Seit einer Neustrukturierung der Berufsbilder im Rettungsdienst, findet nun in dieser Umgebung der praktische Teil der Ausbildung zum Notfallsanitäter statt. Unter Anleitung eines Praxisanleiters erfolgt die Ausbildung während der Versorgung kritisch kranker Patienten. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, notwendige Kompetenzen eines Praxisanleiters zu beschreiben, um Kompetenzen als Lernziel zu formulieren und ein Qualitätsmessinstrument zur Beschreibung der Ausbildungssituation zu erarbeiten. Methodik: Die Erarbeitung des Kompetenzkataloges erfolgte über ein zweistufiges Verfahren: nach einer Delphi-Befragung mit Praxisanleitern und Auszubildenden wurden die Parameter innerhalb eines großen Kollektivs hinsichtlich der Relevanz validiert. Anschließend wurden Faktoren identifiziert, die zusammen Skalen bilden. Ergebnisse: Nach Validierung der Ergebnisse der Delphi-Analyse ergaben sich sechs Skalen mit insgesamt 25 Items. Sie umfassten die Bereiche „Anleitung im Einsatz“, „Anleitung in der Ruhezeit“, „Hintergrund und Praxisbezug“, „Persönlichkeit“, „Pädagogische Kompetenzen“ sowie „Organisatorisches Verhalten“. Schlussfolgerung: Erstmals wurde für den deutschsprachigen Raum ein Kompetenzkatalog für Ausbilder in der Notfallmedizin entwickelt, der als Voraussetzung auch die Anleitung am Notfallpatient beinhaltet. Die Skalen und Items können für die Ausbilderschulung und für das Qualitätsmonitoring verwendet werden. Weitere Arbeiten müssen sich mit der Anwendung des Kataloges in der Praxis beschäftigen und den Bedarf notwendiger Individualisierung überprüfen., GMS Journal for Medical Education; 36(1):Doc8

Christoph Life is a simulator-based air medical training program and a new and innovative educational concept. Participants pass different scenarios with a fully equipped and movable helicopter simulator. Main focuses of the program are crew resource management (CRM) elements and team training. Information about expectations end effectiveness of the training is sparse.During a 2-day training, participants learn CRM basics and complete various emergency medical scenarios. For evaluation, we used an anonymous questionnaire either with polar questions or a 6-coded psychometric Likert scale. The Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis. The significance level was set at P.05.Thirteen teams of emergency physicians and specially trained paramedics underwent Christoph Life. It was evaluated largely positively and considered very helpful for daily work (5.7 ± 0.5) and avoiding mistakes (5.7 ± 0.5). The quality of participants' knowledge about CRM basics (3.5 ± 1.2 vs. 5.4 ± 0.7, P.001), self-assessment of communication skills (4.2 ± 0.7 vs. 4.8 ± 0.8, P = .02), and active reflection of communication aspects (3.9 ± 0.9 vs. 5.5 ± 0.5, P.001) could be strikingly increased.There is a considerable demand for intensified training on the part of the users. We were able to show that a simulator-based air medical training program is a helpful training tool with an obvious subjective benefit for the participants' nontechnical skills.

Increased transfusion requirements in liver transplantation have been reported to be associated with worsened outcomes, more frequent reinterventions, and higher expenses. Anesthesiologists might counteract this through improved coagulation management. We evaluated the effects of rotational thromboelastometry on transfusion and coagulation product requirements and on outcome measurements.Patients who were 14 years or older and who were undergoing liver transplant at Hannover Medical School between January 2005 and December 2009 were included in this retrospective analysis. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, use of rotational thromboelastometry, intraoperative need for blood or coagulation products and antifibrinolytic substances, and clinical course were recorded. Correlations were examined using appropriate statistical tests.Our study included 413 patients. Use of rotational thromboelastometry was associated with less frequent intraoperative administration of red blood cell concentrates, fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrates, prothrombin complex concentrates, and antithrombin concentrates (all P.05). In addition, univariate and multivariate tests showed that rotational thromboelastometry was correlated with decreased need for red blood cell concentrates and fresh frozen plasma (all P.05). Intraoperative administration rates of antifibrinolytic substances and fibrinogen concentrate were significantly increased in patients who received rotational thromboelastometry monitoring (both P.05). However, use of rotational thromboelastometry was not associated with massive transfusion rates (10 units vs less), clinical outcome, or length of stay in the intensive care unit (all P.05).Use of rotational thromboelastometry during liver transplant may reduce the need for intraoperative transfusion and coagulation products. Relevant effects of rotational thromboelastometry on patient outcomes or lengths of stay in the intensive care unit could not be ascertained. However, readjustment of therapeutic thresholds may improve the clinical impact.

Simulation as an educational method can be applied to the training of processes, technical and non-technical skills. This article focuses on the role of simulation in crisis resource management and non-technical skills. A realistic work environment requires well-trained staff regarding simulation technology and communication. A training (unit) is divided into three sections. During the briefing the team is introduced to the scenario. Afterwards, the patient is treated by an interdisciplinary team. Communication under the pressure of action, even if one does not agree with the approach of the colleagues, should be practiced. After the scenario a structured debriefing is conducted. The trainer supervises the reflection of the teams' actions. Various methods such as "guided team self-correction", "advocacy-inquiry" and the "TeamGAINS"-approach are available for this decisive phase of the training. A safe environment is guaranteed, video recordings will never leave the training. Active experimentation, concrete experiences and accurate reflection are the key factors of success for the method simulation. Positive effects on critical incidents, resuscitation outcome and improvement of team climate can be observed after simulation training.Simulation ist eine Methode, virtuelle Lernumgebungen zu erzeugen. Mittels Simulation können Technical Skills, aber auch Soft Skills wie die Funktionsfähigkeit von Teams sehr gut vermittelt werden. Dieser Team-Aspekt wird nachfolgend vor dem Hintergrund spezifischer Trainingsmethoden näher beleuchtet. Der Artikel bezieht sich dabei auf „Zwischenfalltrainings“, die in den Zentren der Autoren einen großen Anteil des Kursangebotes einnehmen.

Actual concepts in continuing medical education in acute or emergency medicine contain skill training as well as simulation training. Methods and mechanisms to reduce crisis, like human factor training, shared mental models or closed-loop communication are incorporated. It is unknown which training method is optimal for individual departments in hospitals or for the individual level of education of the healthcare provider. A concept we provide is the so called "learning in protected environment": this environment protects the course participants and our patients from negative consequences of a conventional hands-on training. Concurrently the participants benefit from our standardized course concepts. We achieve our goal of an optimal preparation for clinical practice by continuous re-evaluation of the content and educational objects. The implementation of a multimodal team training has to be adopted for each institution individually - methods for an implementation should be standardized. We suggest the use of the "Kern cycle" for a structured approach to curriculum development. On this foundation the combination of "learning in protected environment" and crisis training is optimal to achieve an improved patient safety in acute care.Aktuelle Aus- und Fortbildungskonzepte in der Akut- oder Notfallmedizin beinhalten Simulations- und Skill-Trainings unter Berücksichtigung von Methoden und Mechanismen der Fehler- und Zwischenfallprävention wie Human Factors, Shared mental Models und Closed-Loop-Communication. Immer noch ungeklärt ist die Frage nach der optimalen Kombination der einzelnen Methoden und Inhalte eines Fortbildungsprogramms in Abhängigkeit von individuellen Abteilungen eines Krankenhauses und dem einzelnen Mitarbeiter bzw. seinem individuellen Ausbildungsstand. Ein von uns angebotenes Konzept ist das „Lernen im geschützten Umfeld“: Hier werden Teilnehmer und Patient vor den negativen Auswirkungen einer konventionellen klinisch-praktischen Ausbildungssituation beschützt. Gleichzeitig profitieren die Teilnehmer in unserem Fortbildungsprogramm von standardisierten Kursmodellen. Das Ziel der optimalen Vorbereitung auf die klinische Tätigkeit und einer möglichst praktischen bzw. wirklichkeitsnahen Aus- und Fortbildung wird durch eine ständige Re-Evaluation der Inhalte und Methoden komplettiert. Die Implementierung eines solchen multimodalen Teamtrainings ist für jede Institution individuell anzupassen. Die Methoden zur Implementierung sollten standardisiert angewendet werden. Wir empfehlen eine Curriculumsentwicklung auf Grundlage des „Kern-Zyklus“. Auf dieser Basis gelingt die Kombination aus „Lernen im geschützten Umfeld“ und Zwischenfalltraining zur optimalen Vorbereitung auf eine akutmedizinische, klinische Tätigkeit mit dem Ziel einer höchstmöglichen Patientensicherheit.

Background Videolaryngoscopy has been proven to be a safe procedure managing difficult airways in the hands of airway specialists. Information about the success rates in unexperienced users of videolaryngoscopy compared to conventional laryngoscopy is sparse. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate if there might be more success in securing an airway if the unexperienced provider is using a videolaryngoscope in simulated airways in a randomized manikin study. Differences between commonly used videolaryngoscopes were elucidated. Methods A standardized hands-on workshop prior to the study was performed. For direct laryngoscopy (DL) we used a Macintosh laryngoscope, whereas for videolaryngoscopy (VL) we used the cMac, the dBlade, and a King Vision videolaryngoscope. Endotracheal intubations in three simulated normal and difficult airways were performed. Main outcome parameters were time to view and time to intubation. Cormack and Lehane (C + L) classification and the percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score were evaluated. After every intubation, the participants were asked to review the airway and the device used. Results 22 participants (14.8 ± 4.0 intubations per year, mostly trauma surgeons) with limited experience in videolaryngoscopy (mean total number of videolaryngoscopy .4 ± .2) were enrolled. We found improved C + L grades with VL in contrast to DL. We saw similar data with respect to the POGO score, where the participants achieved better visibility of the glottis with VL. The hyperangulated blade geometries of videolaryngoscopes provided a better visibility in difficult airways than the standard geometry of the Macintosh-type blade. The subjective performance of the VL devices was better in more difficult airway scenarios. Conclusions After a short introduction and hands-on training, a videolaryngoscope seems to be safe and usable by unexperienced providers. We assume a standard geometry laryngoscope is optimal for a patient with normal anatomy, whereas VL device with a hyperangulated blade is ideal for difficult airway situations with limited mouth opening or restricted neck movement.