Simulation in anaesthesia: a step towards improved patient safety

Modern anaesthesia simulators are complex, highly sophisticated systems tha t can be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from the training of singl e procedures to the training of complex critical-incident scenarios. A spec ially-trained instructor is necessary to provide the maximum learning exper ience without harm to the trainee. We give a comprehensive overview of the technical features of an anaesthesia simulator system, and of its possible applications and requirements, focussing on the system's use in complex tea m-training situations (crisis resource management).