Educating Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) on Diagnosing and Managing Preoperative Thyroid Storm Using a Simulation Scenario

Abstract

Thyroid storm is one of the most highly ranked endocrine emergencies and is an extreme presentation of thyrotoxicosis. Although intraoperative thyroid storm incidence is a rare event in hyperthyroid patients (10%), it accounts for high mortality rate of up to75% due to cardiac failure, shock, thromboembolic complications, and multi-organ failure. Timely recognition and the management of TS is vital for the anesthesia provider in ensuring patient safety and prevention of fatal outcomes.