The role of simulation as an educational strategy in the COVID-19 pandemic

Simulation-based learning has been widely used to improve response to crisis situations. It has played an important role in preparing care teams for patients with infections such as Ebola, influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS). The recent pandemic caused by the coronavirus (SARS CoV-2) declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March of this year 2020, requires special attention in these moments, where the disease has exceeded the response of the health systems in several countries, so it is necessary training of response teams to reduce risks. The objectives proposed in this review through deliberate practice, the clinical scenario and simulation in situ, in the patient with suspected or infected by COVID-19, try to systematize the placement and removal of personal protective equipment (PPE), the management of the airway and the approach of the patient in cardiac arrest, in order to improve technical skills and strengthen non-technical skills. Furthermore, during the development of these strategies, unexpected situations can be identified and addressed, some compromise in patient and/or staff safety can be detected, which allows these deficiencies to be rectified and response capacity to be optimized. Likewise, it allows to reflect and analyze the emotions of the staff to prevent adverse situations regarding the performance of health workers. With this, it seeks to strengthen the safety and quality of patient care during the course of this pandemic. © 2020, Colegio Mexicano de Anestesiologia A.C.. All rights reserved.

Perioperative management of the patient with COVID-19

Currently, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has put health systems to the test throughout their world. The impact of surgical stress and anesthesia on predisposition to a new COVID-19 infection or exacerbation of the infection in a COVID-19 infected patient to be operated on is unknown. Although COVID-19 mortality is between 1-5%, most deaths have occurred in elderly patients with underlying cardiopulmonary conditions, most of them hypertensive, diabetic and obese, therefore, it should be specially attention in its handling. Carefull perioperative preparation and planning is key in successfully achieving adequate clinical care and maintaining the safety of the health team in a difficult and high risk moment. An additional role for the anesthesiologist, considering that he has the most experience in the management of the airway, is to support the emergency services for endotracheal intubation of patients who require ventilatory support, being a procedure with very specific protection recommendations. Therefore, there is a commitment as specialists, to know the subject thoroughly and protect ourselves along with the health team involved in saving lives during this contingency.