At SIMVANA, we believe in a holistic and engaging approach to anesthesia education. Our mastery lessons are segmented into three dynamic phases. First, learners are introduced to each topic through a rich blend of videos, photos, quiz questions, and interactive objectives. This multifaceted approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of essential concepts and their application to anesthesia.
Next, mastery lessons guide learners through interactive scenarios, where they can actively apply and practice the newly acquired insights. This hands-on experience empowers them to understand the real-world implications of theoretical knowledge, bridging the gap between learning and practical application.
Finally, the mastery lessons culminate with a challenging scenario in the operating room. Here, students must utilize their knowledge and skills to resolve a real-world issue. This immersive methodology ensures that learners not only grasp the fundamental theories but also excel in their practical application, fostering confidence and competence in the field of anesthesia.
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Recognize the signs of CO2 rebreathing in a patient
Change a CO2 absorber
Deal with an exhausted CO2 absorber when no replacement is handy
Independently recognize and address a situation in which the CO2 absorber is exhausted.
Electrical System
8 lessons
Identify and operate the anesthesia machine master switch
Identify the auxiliary outlets on the anesthesia machine and equipment that can and cannot be plugged into them
Recognize the significance of the battery backup alarm
Identify and operate the main and auxiliary breakers on the anesthesia machine
Evaluate for the proper functioning of the line isolation monitor.
Cylinder Oxygen Supply
7 lessons
Identify the backup and auxiliary oxygen cylinders
Activate the backup and auxiliary oxygen cylinders
Correctly identify the purpose of the pin index system
Correctly identify the purpose of the hanger yoke
Correctly estimate the volume remaining in an oxygen cylinder
Identify when an oxygen tank needs to be replaced.
Pipeline Gas Supply
7 lessons
Connect and disconnect high pressure gas lines from their wall connections
Demonstrate understanding of the diameter index safety system and quick connect fittings
Correctly assess pipeline gauge pressures
Recognize and address the loss of the pipeline oxygen supply.
Gas Delivery System
9 lessons
Identify and operate the air, nitrous oxide, and oxygen flowmeters.
Demonstrate an understanding of the nitrous oxide proportioning system.
Demonstrate the significance of the fail-safe valve.
Identify and engage the common gas outlet and auxiliary common gas outlet.
Demonstrate safe use of the oxygen flush valve.
Adjust the flowmeters to set target FiO2 values.
Circle System
8 lessons
Correctly identify the purpose of the circle system and how it works.
Identify the function of its individual components including the circuit limbs, inspiratory and expiratory valves, APL valve, y-piece, and breathing bag.
Independently resolve an anesthesia circuit disconnection.
Vaporizers
7 lessons
Demonstrate an understanding of how variable bypass vaporizers work.
Demonstrate an understanding of the difference between the sevoflurane vaporizer and the desflurane vaporizers.
Demonstrate how the selector lock mechanism works.
Demonstrate the significance of the filler cap and how to ensure it is secure.
Demonstrate how to refill a vaporizer.
Scavenging System
4 lessons
Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of and different types of scavenging systems.
Demonstrate how to evaluate and adjust the scavenging system.
Monitors & Resuscitation Equipment Check
4 lessons
Demonstrate verification of appropriate patient monitoring equipment.
Demonstrate verification of required resuscitation equipment.
Demonstrate verification of adequate suction.
Oxygen Sensor Calibration
4 lessons
Identify the significance of oxygen sensor calibration.
Demonstrate how to calibrate the oxygen sensor to room air.
Demonstrate how to calibrate the oxygen sensor to 100% oxygen.
Low Pressure Leak Test
4 lessons
Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of the low-pressure leak test.
Identify and operate the components used to perform the low-pressure leak test.
Demonstrate the proper performance of the low-pressure leak test.
Positive Pressure Check
3 lessons
Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of the positive pressure check.
Demonstrate how to properly check for positive pressure.
Ventilation System & Valve Check
2 lessons
Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of verifying accurate function of the mechanical ventilation system.
Demonstrate how to perform an evaluation of the mechanical ventilation system.
Setting Alarm Limits
3 lessons
Correctly identify the importance of setting the alarms specifically for each patient.
Access and modify the SIMVANA patient alarms.
Mean Alveolar Concentration
4 lessons
Demonstrate an understanding of MAC
Correctly set the sevoflurane and desflurane vaporizers to MAC and MAC multiple values.
Demonstrate an understanding of factors affecting MAC.
Adjust an anesthetic in accordance with a patient’s pre-existing conditions.
Nitrous Oxide
6 lessons
Identify the chemical characteristics of nitrous oxide.
Identify indications and contraindications to its use.
Demonstrate an understanding of diffusion hypoxia and how to prevent it.
Correctly identify the cardiac, renal, and cerebrovascular effects of nitrous oxide administration.
Desflurane
7 lessons
Identify the chemical characteristics of desflurane.
Identify the special characteristics of the desflurane vaporizer.
Administer desflurane to a patient.
Correctly identify the cardiac, airway, cerebrovascular, and neuromuscular effects of desflurane administration.
Sevoflurane
8 lessons
Identify the chemical characteristics of sevoflurane.
Identify the special characteristics of the sevoflurane vaporizer.
Administer sevoflurane to a patient.
Correctly identify the cardiac, airway, cerebrovascular, and neuromuscular effects of sevoflurane administration.
Uptake & Distribution
10 lessons
Demonstrate an understanding of inspired concentration of an anesthetic and the factors affecting it.
Demonstrate an understanding of alveolar concentration of an anesthetic.
Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between FA and FI.
Demonstrate understanding of the significance of the blood:gas partition coefficient.
Demonstrate how to perform over pressurization.
Demonstrate how alveolar ventilation affects the uptake and distribution of inhaled anesthetics.
Manual Ventilation
5 lessons
Demonstrate how to manually ventilate an intubated patient.
Demonstrate how to manually ventilate a patient using the facemask.
Demonstrate how to adjust the flowmeters and APL valve to deliver a sufficient tidal volume and respiratory rate.
Manually Assisted Ventilation
4 lessons
Demonstrate how to use the breathing bag to manually assist the ventilation of an intubated, spontaneously breathing patient.
Demonstrate how to manually assist the ventilation of a spontaneously breathing patient using the facemask.
Volume Controlled Ventilation
5 lessons
Demonstrate how to adjust the respiratory rate and tidal volume.
Demonstrate an understanding of the I:E ratio.
Demonstrate an understanding of PEEP and how to set it.
Correctly set prescribed ventilation parameters.
Ephedrine
2 lessons
Correctly identify the indications for the use of ephedrine.
Identify the mechanism of action of ephedrine.
Select an appropriate initial dosing regimen for ephedrine.
Esmolol
2 lessons
Correctly identify the indications for the use of esmolol.
Identify the mechanism of action of esmolol.
Select an appropriate initial dosing regimen for esmolol.
Independently correct a patient’s hemodynamic status using intravenous esmolol.
Phenylephrine
2 lessons
Correctly identify the indications for the use of phenylephrine.
Identify the mechanism of action of phenylephrine.
Select an appropriate initial dosing regimen for phenylephrine.
Independently utilize phenylephrine to correct a patient’s hemodynamic status.
Atropine
2 lessons
Identify the indications for atropine usage.
Identify the appropriate dosage of atropine for severe bradycardia.
Independently address severe bradycardia in a patient using intravenous atropine.
Glycopyrrolate
2 lessons
Identify the indications, dose, and duration of action of glycopyrrolate.
Identify the cardiac effects of glycopyrrolate.
Demonstrate how to return a patient’s hemodynamic status back to baseline using intravenous glycopyrrolate.
Propofol
5 lessons
Mitigate the pain on injection associated with propofol
Perform an intravenous induction using an appropriate dose of propofol
Recognize and predict the effects of propofol on the cardiac and respiratory systems.
Demonstrate appropriate preparation of the patient for intravenous induction of anesthesia including preoxygenation and placement of monitors.
Demonstrate the proper technique for intravenous induction for supraglottic airway placement for a situation in which you wish to restore spontaneous ventilation quickly.
Demonstrate verification of proper SGA placement by auscultation and evaluation of the ETCO2 waveform.
Demonstrate maintenance of anesthesia using a volatile agent and institution of manual ventilatory assistance as needed.
