Table 2

Impact of checklist access on specific interventions

ScenarioInterventionPerformed number/total number
Checklist access
NoYes
1. A patient taking a beta blocker presents in anaphylactic shock that fails to respond to epinephrine intramuscular; and then to epinephrine intravenous.Epinephrine 50 µg intravenous0/65/6
Glucagon 1 mg intravenous2/65/6
2. A patient presents with life-threatening asthma exacerbation and ‘silent chest’ that fails to respond to inhalation therapy; and then to intramuscular or subcutaneous adrenergic therapy.Epinephrine 0.5 mg intravenous or subcutaneous or corresponding2/45/5
Magnesium 2 g intravenous0/44/5
3. A patient with liver cirrhosis taking aspirin presents with haemorrhagic shock due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Desmopressin 15 µg intravenous0/45/5
Terlipressin 2 mg intravenous0/45/5
4. A patient presents with toxic shock syndrome due to an abscess.Clindamycin 600 mg intravenous0/43/4
Ordering imaging or surgical consult0/42/4
5. A patient presents with severe hypotension and bradycardia secondary to a calcium channel blocker overdose.Calcium gluconate 10% 30 mL intravenous (or corresponding)3/65/5
High-dose insulin-glucose bolus0/63/5
6. A patient presents with severe hypotension secondary to tricyclic antidepressant poisoning, and develops ventricular tachycardia.Sodium bicarbonate 120 mEq intravenous2/43/4
Magnesium 2.5 g intravenous2/44/4
7. A patient presents with status epilepticus due to acute hyponatraemia and fails to respond to benzodiazepine therapy.3% Sodium chloride 150 mL intravenous2/55/5
Levetiracetam 60 mg/kg intravenous or corresponding1/53/5
8. A patient presents with sudden onset of unresponsiveness and a unilateral dilated pupil unresponsive to light.Raising the head of the bed by 30°0/54/4
3% Sodium chloride 270 mL intravenous or corresponding hyperosmolar therapy0/53/4