Speakers

Chris MacDonald is an inspiring speaker with an unique ability to illuminate essential messages without pointing fingers. Chris is one of the most popular and acknowledged lecturers in Denmark.

Chris MacDonald was born in 1973 in Minnesota, USA, and grew up in Seattle, but has lived in Denmark since 1999. He is a trained human physiologist and a leading authority in mental and physical health, motivation and resilience.

Chris has a background as an elite athlete. In 2005, he came second in the Race Across America, which is a 5,000 km long bicycle race across the USA. In addition, he has rowed with the American national team.

Chris does research himself and works closely with TrygFonden's Center for Active Health at Rigshospitalet in connection with a large scientific research project which, among other things, investigates whether lifestyle changes are effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and can completely or partially make diabetes medication redundant.

Read more: here

Oscar Rosenkrantz Doctor, PhD student Clinical Epidemiology Department, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Denmark
Department of Anaesthesia, Surgery, and Trauma Centre, Main Orthopaedic Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

How much oxygen should we give our patients – and what impact does the oxygen have on potential survival?

The TRAUMOX2 study, published in JAMA in early 2025, investigated a restrictive versus liberal oxygen strategy in trauma patients. The study could not have been conducted without the tremendous effort from anaesthesia- and intensive care nurses at the Danish trial sites, for which we are very grateful. Oscar was a co-author on the main article and will review the background and theory behind the project, discuss the results and their practical implications, as well as share insights from a survey on clinicians' attitudes towards oxygen therapy.

Nursing anesthesia; Education, Competence - Mastering the Art of Anesthesia

For the first time, the World Congress of Nurse Anaesthetists (WCNA) will take place in Australia, in the beautiful city of Brisbane, Queensland. The 15th congress will take place from 7 May to 9 May 2026 and will be hosted by the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) and cohosted by the Australasian College of PeriAnaesthesia Nurses (ACPAN).

For three days, perianaesthesia nurses from across the globe will gather for an extensive scientific program, social events and the opportunity to connect with world-leading specialists whilst networking with colleagues from Australia, the Asia-Pacific and international destinations all over the world. Vera Meeusen will introduce you to the upcoming congress.

Assistant professor, Ph.d. cand.cur. Intensive care nurse. Odense University Hospital.

CRNA, MKS, Education responsible anaesthetic nurse in OUH Svendborg.

Director Health Care Education Europe / Country Manager Laerdal Medical DK

Responsible for Clinical Development, RN, Cand. scient. San.

We have conducted a project focusing on two anaesthetic procedures, using Injectomats or Infusomats. Focusing at the workflow, CO2 and price defences. This session will provide knowledge about which procedure that provides the best working environment for the anaesthesia nurses and which procedure is most sustainable and cost effectiveness.

Nurse anesthetist, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen

Anesthetic clinical practice has a considerable impact on climate and the environment through use of anesthetic gasses, drugs and single-use equipment. In the face of climate change the health sector will need to tackle both the increasing consequences for health worldwide and to reduce its own carbon footprint, which is estimated at 4.4% of global emissions. Raising the voice of health professionals has been identified as paramount to achieving the wide-scale and urgent response required to limit the consequences of climate change for health. Among health professionals, anesthetic practitioners are ideally placed to lead the way given that they make daily decisions regarding anesthetic gasses with a considerable footprint on climate and the environment.

RNA, CCN, Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, Rigshospitalet - Copenhagen University Hospital

Most temperature measurement methods are known to become inaccurate during rapid changes in core temperature and suffer from delayed detection of temperature changes. Zero-heat-flux temperature (ZHF) measurement from the lateral forehead may be an alternative, non-invasive method quantifying the core temperature. A prospective, observational, multicentre study was conducted in one hundred patients scheduled for on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Core temperatures were measured every minute by two zero-heat-flux thermometer (SpotOn™) and a bladder thermometer and a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC).  

CCN, Ph.d. student, Cand. Cur. Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit and Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital

Admission to the ICU often negatively affects patients’ well-being, and rehabilitation. The nurse-patient relationship has been shown to protect patients against these negative experiences. Constraints such as time shortages, focus on technical tasks, organizational demands and communication difficulties challenge nurses in prioritizing the relationships with patients. Furthermore, knowledge of what constitutes nurse-patient relationships with conscious mechanically ventilated patients  is scarce

The aim was to provide in-depth-insight on the nurse-patient relationship with conscious mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU.

CCN, Clinical nurse specialist, Neuro Anesthesiology Department, Rigshospitalet

The question is whether an investment in welfare technologies can reduce the staff's burden when repositioning the heavy intensive care patient and, in some cases, free up staff resources, thereby reducing the overall time of physical strain on the staff without affecting patient safety or patient comfort.

The purpose of the study and intervention is to reduce and optimize the physical burden on staff when repositioning and handling the heavily bedridden patient in relation to positioning practices, combined with improving patient comfort, and ensuring stability in positioning. The focus is on patient safety concerning the risk of pressure ulcers due to positioning.

Developmental nurse, Nurse anesthetist, Cand. Cur. Anesthesiology-Intensive Care Department V, Odense University Hospital, Denmark

Unintentional perioperative hypothermia (UPH), defined as a core body temperature below 36°C during surgery, is a common risk for all surgical patients. UPH is strongly associated with adverse clinical outcomes, emphasizing the importance of effective prevention strategies. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of unintentional perioperative hypothermia with and without preoperative warming and evaluate the effect of prewarming on core temperature in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery walking to the operating room (OR)

CCN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, MSN, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

International publications describe different types of barriers to early mobilization of critically ill patients on ventilators. Some safety protocols do not recommend mobilizing patients with an oxygen fraction >60%, a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ≥10 cm H2O or if limited amounts of vasoactive agents are used. To what extent has mobilization beyond these criteria taken place in the ward? The ward is a 26-bed general intensive care unit with a non-sedation strategy. Patients are assessed individually every day for the possibility of early mobilization. Data were examined for mobilizations for the entire patient group, patients with a PEEP ≥ 10 cm H2O, oxygen fraction ≥ 60% and Noradrenaline infusion ≥ 0.1µg/kg/min. Relevant mobilizations were the nurse's registration of the patient sitting in a chair, bed cycling, sitting on the edge of the bed, standing or walking.

CRNA, Anesthesiology-Intensive Care Department V, Odense University Hospital, Denmark

At the Neuroanaesthesia Department at Odense University Hospital, children under 1 year of age undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) under general anesthesia. Additional procedures are often performed while the child remains under general anesthesia, and some children are transported directly to surgery following the MRI. As the MRI scanner requires MRI convertible equipment, thermal protection of the child during the procedure is a challenge in clinical practice. Despite the use and replacement of warm blankets, we have experienced incidents of unintentional hypothermia in the children, which compromise patient safety. The cause might be that the children are exposed to cold environment while wearing minimal clothing, which increases the risk of hypothermia during anesthesia.

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to explore the incidence of hypothermia in children under 1 year of age during the MRI scan and additional procedures

CRNA, Rigshospitalet

In 2023, Denmark's total consumption-based CO₂ emissions amounted to 6.7 tons of CO₂ equivalents per capita. The Capital Region of Denmark has set ambitious goals to reduce CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030 and, thereby, achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Previous efforts in anesthesiology have primarily focused on reducing the use of anesthetic gases. However, single-use items such as syringes, intravenous fluids, plastic tubes, and packaging contribute significantly to the environmental footprint. It is, therefore, crucial to shed light on areas where reduction, reuse, or recycling can be implemented.

RN, CRNA, Master in Humanities and Health Studies (MHH) Development nurse at the anesthesia department, Regionshospitalet Viborg

I wrote my master project in 2023 concerning this most interesting og current subject: “There’s a shortage of registered certified nurse anesthetists in the public care health system in Denmark. How is it possible for the nurses to contribute to sustainable communities of practice in the tension between high professionalism, educational tasks and the increasing of effiency in the public care health system -and at the same time support retention and recruitment?”

I am also looking into what sustainability is in our health care system. Is it only concerning sorting of waste and reduction of consumption? Or is it also worth looking at as a ethical concept?

CCN., Ph.d. candidate at Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of Acute Medicine / Department of Digital Health research, Division of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital

Family caregivers to critically ill patients often experience the situation as traumatic and are at risk for developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression in the time afterwards, symptoms known as Post-Intensive Care Syndrome - Family (PICS-F). This study sought to test The Caregiver Pathway, a model for systematic follow-up of family caregivers aiming to reduce PICS-F.

Cecilie Selchau, CRNA, HovedOrtoCentret, AN/OP 6013/7013, Rigshospitalet

Paw Østergren Bak, CRNA, HovedOrtoCentret, AN/OP 6013/7013, Rigshospitalet

Stress and Traumatic Experiences Can Have Serious Consequences for Healthcare Professionals Working in Acute and Critical Situations, Including Cardiac Arrests, Emergency Calls, and Trauma Activations.

Traumatic stress refers to a sudden event or situation that can trigger significant stress responses. Effective management of traumatic stress is essential for staff wellbeing and patient safety. Defusing and debriefing are techniques used to support coping and to prevent harmful effects following critical incidents.

Despite existing guidelines and established concepts for defusing and debriefing, staff often experienced their implementation as sporadic and inconsistent.

This presentation focuses on the development and evaluation of a pragmatic tool aimed at supporting mental wellbeing and resilience among healthcare professionals working in emergency and preparedness functions.

Eske Kvanner Aasvang, professor, anaesthesiology, Rigshospitalet 

Christian S Meyhoff, professor, anaesthesiology, Bispebjerg Hospital

Postoperative complications are the 3rd most common cause of death worldwide. Whilst we have made the operating room and postanaesthesia care unit safe places when it comes to detection and avoidance of complications, severe complications are often detected late or not at all at the general ward. By using wireless vital parameter sensors and interpreting vial sign patterns using artificial intelligence, it is now possible to detect and act in time both in hospital and at home. At the center lies the understanding of how to engage staff, especially nurses. The evidence, challenges, and potential for a fundamental change to patientcare from a physician and nursing perspective will be presented.

CCN, Project leader, Cand. Health Promotion and Health Strategies and Work Life Studies, Rigshospitalet

Innovation is the fourth core task of the Danish healthcare system. The Innovation Lab at the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Rigshospitalet has spent the past five years working with interdisciplinary, needs-driven innovation. Starting from clinical challenges, ideas have been developed from identified needs into finished medical products and solutions. One example – a digital patient monitoring solution with live video feed – will be presented.

Insights and experiences (both positive and negative) will be shared, and the presentation aims to inspire how we can innovate and influence our working lives, even within a busy clinical setting.

Is it easy? No! But the reality is, we can't afford not to do it.

It is possible – if we remember those who are affected by the solutions.

Sanne Skovgaard, Clinical Head Nurse, RN, MScN, Intensive Care Unit, Regional Hospital Viborg

&

Caroline Knudsen, CCN, MLP, Responsible of clinical education, Intensive Care Unit, Regional Hospital Viborg

The aim of the project was to develop a model for competence development (the KOS Model) based on the Fundamentals of Care (FoC), while simultaneously implementing this conceptual framework within a high-tech department. The KOS Model was created with the intention of working with competence development and the FoC as the preferred tool for reflection. Furthermore, the KOS Model is used as a basis for dialogue during performance and development reviews (MUS conversations). Both are utilised to explain our complex field of work – in daily practice, as well as to new colleagues, students, course participants, and in interdisciplinary collaboration. The KOS Model is elaborated in a project that focuses on competence development among experienced intensive care nurses, with FoC as the point of departure. The project highlights the importance of lifelong learning and the continued development of the experienced nurse’s professional identity formation.

CCN, Anesthesia and intensive care unit V, Odense University hospital

The feeling of shortcoming when caring for critically ill children has been a challenge among Critical Care Nurses (CCN) primarily caring for adults in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We asked the nurses how to achieve the desired competencies and thereby increase their confidence. Based on the answers we designed an education program with the purpose of strengthening their view on the professional approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of goal directed education of Critical Care Nurses to strengthen competencies and reduce discomfort when allocated to caring for critically ill children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

CRNA, NUBA, MiPV, Clinical nurse specialist in pediatric anesthesia, Anesthesia and intensive care unit V, Odense Universityhospital

The aim is optimizing individual learning in the perioperative setting and support a team-based approach to clinical practice. Competence-based learning as well as bedsite supervision is a cornerstone of education in both paediatric and adult  anaesthesia. This for both medical and nursing staff. Consequently, numerous professionals are presented in the operation room with individual learning objectives. This is challenging, since repeated procedures for teaching purposes cannot be justified. Furthermore, traditional learning methods focus on individual approaches and hierarchical structures. Teamwork in clinical practice enhances patient safety. The question is how individual learning goals can be met without compromising team dynamics in the perioperative setting.

PhD. Student, CRNA, Lund University, Zealand University Hospital.

Director of the Research and Development, editor of Spirium journal. The Finnish Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

Head and Neck Center, Helsinki University Hospital. 

Yunsuk Jeon will present key findings on the education systems and competence evaluation for nurse anesthetists across four countries, highlighting areas for improvement and innovation. Which critical factors affect nurse anesthetist competence, and which strategies enhance the quality of nursing practice. Gain an understanding of how education and evaluation systems impact the competence of a nurse anesthetists in different countries, and recognize the importance of adopting global standards while respecting local cultural and institutional contexts. Emphasize that nurse anesthetist competence requires ongoing development through structured and continuous education, not just initial training. How can an international collaboration and shared learning enhance professional expertise improve patient safety in the Nordic countries.

RN, CCRN, MScN
Department of Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

We have been working with live music for adult intensive care patients since 2019, starting in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Aarhus University Hospital, but now practiced in all ICU’s in the Central Region.

We have conducted research on patient experiences through qualitative interviews and investigated the effects of patient-tailored live music, assessing its impact on relaxation, stress, and pain. Thus, combined qualitative patient experiences with quantitative physiological data. Out findings indicate that live music fosters meaningful moments, reduces heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure, and contributes to pain relief. Patients reported enhanced relaxation, emotional well-being, and a sense of connection to the outside world.

Our research underscores the potential of live music as a non-pharmacological intervention in intensive care settings.

RNA, Ph.d. student

Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

Department of Anesthesia and Intensive care. Danderyd University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

Martin is a Ph.d. student with a doctoral project about excellence in anesthesia nursing and non-technical skills. Knowledge has intrigued humanity since the great Greek philosophers. It is divided into different aspects, including theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and non-technical skills. The art of anesthesia nursing involves integrating these types of knowledge to achieve a higher level of excellence when we care for our patients.

Emilie Bak, Clinical instructor & Nurse specialist, M.S.Ed, RN, Department of Anaesthesiology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark

& 

Lea Hvidberg Bessmann, PhD in perioperative care, MSc in Health Sciences, RN Department of Anaesthesiology, Amager and Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark

Despite the use of preoperative risk stratification tools and structured discharge criteria, early postoperative complications remain common. This session explores the role of the PACU as a triage point, linking intraoperative handover and early postoperative care with the detection of emerging complications. We will share insights from two related initiatives: the Check-Over project, which strengthens interdisciplinary handovers from the operating room to PACU through structured communication, and a PhD project investigating how PACU can be used systematically to identify early signs of deterioration. Particular attention is given to the role of PACU nurses’ clinical assessments in recognising early risk, beyond what standard scoring tools may detect. Drawing on clinical experience and research, we invite participants to a focused presentation and discussion on the future role of PACU in early postoperative surveillance.

Matias Rasi, Ph.d. Student, UiT The Arctic, University of Norway

& 

Lena Dehli, Critical Care Nurse, Assistant Professor, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, University Hospital of North-Norway

Previously, open feedback forms were used to assess clinical practice in the master’s nursing program at UiT, The Arctic University of Norway. The assessment did not follow any standardised guidelines and this approach led to inconsistent assessments between students.  In autumn 2024, the AssCE (Assessment of Clinical Education) tool was introduced to standardise assessments for students specialising in paediatric, intensive care, operative, and oncology nursing. This project aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the AssCE tool in clinical practices.

Consultant Neurosurgeon, Head of Neurosurgical Department, Odense University Hospital. 

We have an increasing donor rate in Denmark, in part because of the implementation of Donation after Circulatory Death. Understanding the death criteria when organ donation is a possibility, this session will take you through.

CRNA, Universitetslektor og ph.d.-candidat Master's in special nursing with specialization in anesthetic nursing Det helsevitenskapelige faculty, University of Stavanger

The perioperative environment is complex, high-paced and high-risk, placing patients undergoing surgery and anaesthesia in a vulnerable situation. Anaesthesia nursing practice is contextual, intentional and goal-directed, in response to patients’ specific needs within a short timeframe. It is also a caring practice, focusing on empathy, trust, dignity, and mutuality. Positive patient experiences are linked to better clinical safety and quality. Despite technological advances, there are concerns about dehumanization and the prioritization of biomedical and financial concerns over humanistic care. Limited resources in healthcare are a reality. Therefore, the content of nursing in anaesthesia must be expedient to meet future needs. This study explores how nurse anaesthetists describe their practice as being nursing when caring for surgical patients.

CCN, Anesthesiology-Intensive Care Department V, Odense University Hospital, Denmark

Recruiting Nurses to the Intensive Care Specialty Can Be a Major Challenge. At the same time, many nursing students express interest in working in intensive care, but often have limited insight into what intensive nursing actually entails. Many are subsequently surprised by the depth and complexity of the specialty, and by the wide spectrum of care – ranging from short-term acute interventions to prolonged, stable courses requiring extensive rehabilitation. This may contribute to short-term employment in intensive care units.

We have developed and conducted a voluntary three-day summer school designed to introduce nursing students to intensive care treatment and nursing. The aim is to provide a realistic insight into the specialty and thereby support students in making a more informed choice regarding future employment and potential career paths.

CCN, Ph.d candidate, Østfold Hospital Trust, Intensive Care Unit, Medical High Dependency Unit

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients experience a high number of symptoms both during ICU stay and immediately after ICU discharge. However, little is known about how symptoms change during the first week following ICU discharge.

Objectives  was to determine changes in prevalence, severity and distress of selected symptoms on days 3, 5 and 7 after ICU discharge, and to investigate whether patient-related and clinical characteristics are associated with symptom severity and distress.

Clinical nurse specialist, Department of Anaesthesiology, Research Department of Zealand University hospital, Nykøbing Falster

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common and distressing complication following surgery, with reported incidence ranging from 16% to 20% in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). POD is associated with adverse outcomes, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs, a heightened healthcare burden. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Safe Brain Initiative Care Bundle (SBI-CB) in reducing the incidence of POD.

A large, multicenter, retrospective cohort study using a pragmatic trial approach. This analysis represents the first assessment phase (SBI-CB1).

Matias Rasi, Ph.d. Student, UiT The Arctic, University of Norway

& 

Lena Dehli, Critical Care Nurse, Assistant Professor, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, University Hospital of North-Norway

Professionalism, being a part of a collegial community and opportunities for development and education. In Denmark these elements have proven to be key elements when it comes to recruiting and retaining nurses in the job.

Due to a shortage of nurse anaesthetists in 2022-23 and a future need for workplace learning (relocation to a new hospital and introduction of new medical specialization) we decided to establish a model for competency development based on the theory “Communities of Practice”. The overall idea is to create greater knowledge-based skills through social processes for both organizational experienced nurse anaesthetists and newcomers.

The first brick in building a learning community of practice has been to examine how our onboarding meets the clinical tasks and the newcomers’ needs for organizational socialization. The research questions we addressed in this project were: How do newly employed nurse anaesthetists experience start in the anaesthesia department with the current introduction practice?

What improvement efforts can be identified?