The new Perfusion Simulation Center at the Medical University of South Carolina provides a new level of high fidelity simulation training for perfusion students. A key component is the Orpheus Perfusion Simulator which is a computer-driven simulator integrated with the mechanical connections of the heart-lung machine to allow for real time operative procedures and perfusion incidents. Due to the ability to consistently reproduce cardiac surgical scenarios, it is possible to develop both basic perfusion skills as well as advanced emergency skills more effectively than with animal models. The purpose of this paper is to provide details about advanced simulation for perfusionists and to illustrate how simulation can be used to promote the assets of good communication, team work, and surgical awareness. Two sets of four cardiac surgical scenarios were recorded in the perfusion simulation operating room. Scenario team member roles included a cardiac surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a perfusionist and an operating room nurse. The scripted surgical scenarios were viewed by a focus group of students charged with identifying key personality traits of different members of the operating team and to characterize them using a list of descriptive words adapted from the Medical University of South Carolina's Peer Review Tool. In the first set of scenarios, initial scores were negative, with irresponsibility, impatience, and carelessness listed as the top behavioral characteristics leading to human error. In the second set of scenarios, logical, clear-thinking, and attentive were the most common personality traits observed of the effective team members. Simulation has become an invaluable tool for perfusion education and the goal of improving patient safety during cardiopulmonary bypass. The opportunities for advanced training in the perfusion simulation environment will certainly expand in the future.

The process of producing and applying platelet concentrate (gel) to wounds has been shown by several researchers to accelerate healing and promote tissue regeneration in a broad spectrum of healthcare practices. Despite the evidence, widespread adoption of this technology has not occurred. The purpose of this research is to identify those factors acting as barriers to the adoption of platelet gel use. Subscribers to Perflist and Perfmail, online perfusion community listservs, were invited to participate in an online survey designed to identify factors influencing platelet gel adoption. Respondents provided their opinions on cost, clinical application, effectiveness, and perceived barriers to adoption and use of platelet gel. Statistical analysis of the non-user responses identifies lack of reimbursement and physician acceptance as significant barriers to the adoption of platelet gel. Questionable efficacy, cost, additional training, and the lack of personnel do not appear to be significant barriers to the use of platelet gel. There does not appear to be a significant difference among the user and non-user employment distributions. This study suggests that education of physicians via literature reviews or in-service plays a significant role in gaining adoption of platelet gel.

The study found that, among the various factors, job demands were the most likely culprit contributing to burnout. Stress level and conflict, in particular, had the strongest association to burnout.

In an effort to provide optimal patient care, perfusionists should rely on information provided by current research. Present statistics, however, document a substantial underuse of evidence-based clinical practice and therapies not only in perfusion, but throughout the entire medical field. This investigation applied a statistical method—binomial proportion analysis—to aid in uncovering the trends in perfusion practice from 2004 to 2011. Through the analysis of national adult perfusion practice surveys, the feasibility of using binomial proportion statistical analysis is assessed in its ability to track adult perfusion practice proportional differentials over time and evaluate the adoption and attitudes toward the compliance of evidence-based practice within the field of perfusion. Surveys conducted in 2004 and 2006 on adult perfusion practice in the United States—although not published—are compared with data obtained by a similar survey distributed in 2011 through an international perfusion network system and perfusion mailing system, Perflist and Perfmail. The increase of perfusionists who practice retrograde and antegrade autologous priming (R/A AP) seen from 2004 to 2006 (35–50%) was statistically significant (Zcalc = −2.30, p < .05) and from 2006 to 2011 (Zcalc = −5.23; p < .05). Although the increase in biocompatible circuit (BC) use by perfusionists from 2004–2006 (53–64%) was not statistically significant (Zcalc = −1.69, p < .05), the use of BCs did continue to increase (86%) significantly from 2006 to 2011 (Zcalc = −9.15, p < .05). Other trends were observed; however, statistical significance was variable. This investigation demonstrates that binomial proportion statistical analysis is an effective method of evaluating perfusion practice trends and adoptions based on increasing or decreasing perfusion population proportion compliance over time.

Vent vacuum relief valves (VRVs) are used to limit the negative pressure at the ventricular vent catheter tip as well as prevent reversal of blood flow and prevention of air embolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of three commercially available ventricular vent valves. The negative pressure at which the vent valve opened was measured at the valve inlet using high-fidelity pressure transducers. Also, the flow rate at which air entrainment occurred due to valve opening was recorded. Using a 51.5 cm column of saline, the resistance for each valve was calculated. The mean ± SD opening negative pressures were −231.3 ± 35.2 mmHg for the Quest Medical valve, −219.8 mmHg ± 17.2 for the Sorin valve, and −329.6 ± 38.0 mmHg for the Terumo valve. The red Quest Medical valve opened at a lower flow (1.44 ± .03 L/min) than the dark blue Sorin valve (2.93 ± .01 L/min) and light blue LH130 Terumo valve (2.36 ± .02 L/min). The Sorin valve had the least resistance of 34.1 dyn·s/cm5, followed by the Terumo LH130 valve resistance of 58.1 dyn·s/cm5, and the Quest Medical VRV-II valve with a resistance of 66.5 dyn·s/cm5. We found that the valves are significantly different in the negative pressure generated. Understanding the limitations of these devices is important to reduce the occurrence of adverse events associated with venting and to select the best device for a specific clinical application.