Development and Pilot Applications of Simulation-Based Emergency Department Crisis Management Team Training Program

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Emergency departments (EDs) are complex and dynamic working environments in which crises can easily develop. ED members must be trained to recognize and prevent impending crises or resolve active ones. Patient simulation (PS) is emerging as an effective tool in team training. We investigate the participants' responses to a simulation-based ED Crisis Management Team Training (CMTT) program we developed and applied. METHODS: We developed a pilot 2-hour simulation-based ED-CMTT program and applied to ED members who worked in three different types of EDs. The program was consisted of a lecture for principles of crisis resource management (CRM) and team dynamics, orientation to simulator and simulation environment, PS session with videoassisted debriefing and survey. After finishing the program, participants completed a survey and were solicited comments. RESULTS: Fifty-two trainee participated in more than one of total seven pilot programs. The responses for the program are as follow enjoyable and satisfied, 4.00+/-0.74; helpful for their teamwork, 3.98+/-0.73; understanding of CRM principles, 4.00+/-0.63; attainment of learning objectives, 3.80+/-0.83; quality of faculty, 3.90+/-0.63; time allocation, 3.40+/-0.70. The responses for PS session are as follow realism of scenario, 3.98+/-0.63; realism of simulator, 3.10+/-1.05; realism of simulation environment, 3.44+/-0.98; quality of audio-visual system, 3.81+/-0.74. Overall comments were positive and commonest request was to have more experiences in variable scenarios. However, some problems like time shortage and lack of realism were also pointed. CONCLUSION: The participants' reaction show that the simulation-based ED-CMTT program was well accepted by ED members. Creating more variable crisis scenarios and realistic simulation setting will be necessary for improving the program.