The Effects of Collaborative Simulation Education on Patient Safety in Medical Education

Abstract

One of the busiest paediatric emergency departments (ED) in the United States is located at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. “High volume, high acuity, and frequent interruptions” all contribute to a higher risk of error. Improving patient safety (PS) in an ED by introducing “multidisciplinary, simulation-based curriculum” that emphasizes teamwork and interaction. The ED’s whole staff of medical professionals served as subjects. Teams from several disciplines took part in simulation-based training sessions that addressed teamwork and interaction techniques in pressing clinical situations. Evaluations of “essential simulations, knowledge tests, safety attitudes test, and real performance in the ED resuscitation bay” were conducted. The adoption of routine in situ simulations and the requirement that all new employees complete simulation-based training were strategies used to maintain improvements. The initial session was attended by 291 individuals. On an average of 11,2 months after the initial evaluation, 158 participants showed up. It was clear that knowledge and attitudes had improved over time. In the ED, simulation training is a useful technique for changing attitudes towards safety and cooperative behaviors. Repeated practice opportunities are necessary for social and behavioral modifications to last.