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Systems Based Disaster Simulation: A Large In Situ Simulation as a Means for Whole Hospital Learning (1090-004249) (Research Abstract Professor Rounds: Group 7)
Start time: Friday, January 29, 2021, 1:00 PM End time: Friday, January 29, 2021, 2:00 PM Session Type: Research Abstracts (Completed Studies) Cost: $0.00
Content Category: Researcher
Hypothesis:
An external disaster poses many challenges to both the health care system and to the teams that work within it. In order to prepare these teams and systems, simulation has been demonstrated to be a beneficial educational modality. The systems issues that may be revealed in a disaster context are difficult to predict and could result in significant human cost. Thus, simulating an event can identify, and potentially offer solutions, for latent patient safety defects and systems issues. We report initial findings of system-based challenges identified through the execution of a large multidisciplinary in-situ disaster simulation that occurred in a tertiary care pediatric hospital.
Methods:
A large-scale in-situ disaster simulation occurred in 2018 involving multiple community and health care partners. All hospital personnel were encouraged to participate. Following the simulation, a hot debrief was performed including a discussion of identified patient safety concerns and potential latent policy gaps. Audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed using fundamental qualitative description designed to achieve descriptive validity.
Results:
Three themes were identified, with multiple subthemes identifying main areas for improvement of disaster response: (1) Documentation and information transfer, (2) Situational awareness and transfer of care, and (3) Human Resources including lack of people and role allocation. Given the challenges faced, suggestions to improve the systems issues were implemented.
Conclusions:
Simulation provides a unique opportunity to identify system-based issues and implementing changes to improve quality and safety of patient care before substantial and unnecessary human cost.