Simulation Training for Emergency Teams

Abstract

Introduction : Resuscitation of the critically ill in the emergency department can be stressful and at times,  chaotic. We believe that simulation training for emergency teams (STET) will help improve team performance during actual resuscitation, thus synonymously leading to better patient outcomes. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of STET for resuscitation team training. Methods : Eight sessions of STET using low fidelity simulation were conducted during March to April 2015. Doctors and nurses participated in the sessions, as they would work together in teams on a day to day basis. The participants evaluated the effectiveness of the training after the sessions on a 5-point Likert Scale. The following were assessed: benefits of simulation training; realism and appropriateness of scenarios; enhancement of medical knowledge and practical skills, thereby improving patient outcomes; and teamwork, with a focus on leadership and communications. Results : Twenty doctors and 13 nurses participated in STET. The doctors were residents (Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Orthopaedics) in their first to third year of training. STET received a mean score of 4.3 across all domains. Participants scored the benefit of STET with a mean of 4.5. Though the scenarios were appropriate (mean score = 4.4), the low fidelity simulation lacked realism (mean score = 3.8). With the right training objectives, STET could enhance both medical knowledge and practical skills (mean score 4.4 versus 4.3 respectively). Participants believe that learning points from STET could improve patient outcomes (mean score 4.4). Finally, STET provides an avenue for team training (mean score = 4.4) with development of team leadership and communication. Conclusion : STET was effective for the purpose of resuscitation team training. However, the limitation of this educational intervention was that we do not know the directness and extent of its impact on actual patient outcomes. This would be the subject of a future follow=up study of this nature.