Utilizing multiple formats, including games, lectures, videos, in situ simulations, and post-simulation debriefings, the Nursing, Otolaryngology, Anesthesia (NOA) course provides an experiential learning environment for acquiring CRM (Crisis Resource Management) principles. In each session, the participants include two or three Operating Room nurses, a Pediatric Otolaryngology fellow, two Otolaryngology residents, an Anesthesia fellow, an Anesthesia resident, and an Anesthesia tech. This multidisciplinary team faces time-sensitive clinical crises challenging their decision-making, teamwork and organizational skills. The course enables OR nurses and surgical and anesthesia trainees to gain experience in managing low-frequency, high-acuity clinical events. The course employs native personnel working in situ within an actual Boston Children’s Hospital operating room. This environment contributes significantly to the realism of the simulated scenarios. Each NOA session comprises a didactic and two simulations. Each simulation is followed by a detailed debriefing led by two experienced facilitators.
The course is developed, facilitated, and debriefed by experienced nurse, surgeon, and anesthesiologist educators.

Course Co-Directors
Stephen Flynn, MD - Anesthesia
Lisa Petras, RN - Nursing, MOR
Mark Volk, MD - Otolaryngology