Abstract 355: Using Low-Fidelity Simulation with Hospital Specific Equipment to Improve Front Line Nursing Staff Knowledge, Skill, and Confidence in a Code Blue

Abstract

Introduction: At this facility, staff response to unresponsive victims prior to arrival of Rapid Response Team is unreliable. The gaps in care reported by debrief forms include unable to find and use equipment on the crash cart, unable to appropriately document Code Blue in EHR, and not performing adequate CPR. Currently, the nursing staff is required to maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) (per their job description) via the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) program. RQI delivers quarterly training via computer scenarios and mannequin simulations. There is no consideration in RQI for hospital specific equipment or processes. The recommendation for improving staff response to code situations is to incorporate an annual Mock Code Event for all nursing staff to improve performance during code situations, in addition to RQI quarterly activities. Hypothesis: Participating in an instructor led Mock Code Event annually to review hospital specific equipment and processes, along with the quarterly RQI simulations, will improve staff response to code blue situations. Methods: The Mock Code Event included stations to review items in crash cart, use of defibrillator, documenting in EHR, and review of BLS. After completing the stations, the staff participated in a low-fidelity code blue simulation with a debrief. At end of activity, participants voluntarily completed a survey regarding Mock Code Event. Results: The participants scored 6 items on a Likert scale (from 1 disagree to 5 agree). 457 RNs and PCTs attended Mock Code Events in 2019. 189 completed survey after event. Conclusion: The survey findings demonstrate the Mock Code Event was an effective method to improve knowledge, skill, and confidence of front-line staff during Code Blue situations. The survey findings support that the educational techniques used were helpful and easy to understand.