Trauma Team High-Fidelity Simulation Training in a Rural Level III Trauma Center: An Interprofessional Experience.

Abstract

Emergency department trauma resuscitation requires teamwork and high-stakes clinical decision-making. Rural trauma centers with low trauma activation volumes must ensure that resuscitations are efficient and safe. The purpose of this article is to describe the implementation of high-fidelity, interprofessional simulation training to foster trauma teamwork and role identification for trauma team members responding to trauma activations in the emergency department. High-fidelity, interprofessional simulation training was developed for members of a rural Level III trauma center. Subject matter experts created trauma scenarios. An embedded participant led the simulations using a guidebook that outlined the scenario and learner objectives. The simulations were implemented from May 2021 through September 2021. Postsimulation survey results identified that participants found training with other professions valuable and that knowledge was gained. Interprofessional simulations enhance team communication and skills. Combining interprofessional education with high-fidelity simulation creates a learning environment that optimizes trauma team function.