Simulation in healthcare : journal of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare
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High-fidelity patient simulation is increasingly recognized as an effective means of team training, acquisition and maintenance of technical and professional skills, and reliable performance assessment; however, finding a cost effective solution to providing such instruction can be difficult. This report describes the rationale, design, and appropriateness of a portable simulation model and example of its successful use at national meetings. ⋯ The Portable Simulation Training and Assessment Program (Pediatric Anesthesia in-Situ Simulation) presents innovative educational and financial opportunities to assist in both training and assessment of critical emergency response skills at smaller institutions and allows specialized instruction in an in situ setting.
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Interventions to reduce preventable complications such as catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) can also decrease hospital costs. However, little is known about the cost-effectiveness of simulation-based education. The aim of this study was to estimate hospital cost savings related to a reduction in CRBSI after simulation training for residents. ⋯ A simulation-based educational intervention in CVC insertion was highly cost-effective. These results suggest that investment in simulation training can produce significant medical care cost savings.
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This article presents a simulation architecture for a patient tracking system simulator to study caregiver performance in emergency departments (EDs). The architecture integrates discrete event simulation modeling with clinical patient information. Evaluation components for electronic patient tracking system displays are also described. ⋯ Modular design of the patient-tracking system display simulation helps adaptation for different studies to support various interface features and interaction types. The methodology described in this work exploits the benefits of discrete event simulation to iteratively design and test technologies such as electronic patient tracking systems and allows assessment of human performance measures.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Prospective randomized trial of simulation versus didactic teaching for obstetrical emergencies.
The objective of this study was to determine whether simulation was more effective than traditional didactic instruction to train crisis management skills to labor and delivery teams. ⋯ In an academic training program, didactic and simulation-trained groups showed equal results on written test scores. Simulation-trained teams had superior performance scores when tested in a labor and delivery drill. Simulation should be used to enhance obstetrical emergency training in resident education.
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Comparative Study
Perception of realism during mock resuscitations by pediatric housestaff: the impact of simulated physical features.
Physical signs that can be seen, heard, and felt are one of the cardinal features that convey realism in patient simulations. In critically ill children, physical signs are relied on for clinical management despite their subjective nature. Current technology is limited in its ability to effectively simulate some of these subjective signs; at the same time, data supporting the educational benefit of simulated physical features as a distinct entity are lacking. We surveyed pediatric housestaff as to the realism of scenarios with and without simulated physical signs. ⋯ PALS scenarios were rated as highly realistic by pediatric residents. Slight differences existed between subjects exposed to simulated physical features and those not exposed to them; these differences were most pronounced in scenarios involving pulselessness. Specific physical features were rated as more important than others by subjects. Data from these surveys may be informative in designing future simulation technology.