Crash testing the dummy: a review of in situ trauma simulation at a Canadian tertiary centre.

BACKGROUND

In situ trauma simulations allow for the trauma team and emergency department to practise team dynamics, resuscitation and logistics in a safe environment. The goal of this investigation was to show the feasibility of an in situ trauma simulation program at a Canadian level 1 trauma centre.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of in situ simulations (maximum 20 min, followed by a 10-min debriefing session) at a level 1 trauma centre from 2015 to 2017. Errors were categorized according to the National Patient Safety Agency risk assessment matrix by 3 independent raters and assigned consequence scores (assessing potential harm) and likelihood scores (assessing the likelihood of potential harm). A risk score was calculated as the product of the mean consequence and likelihood scores. Errors per simulation and the number of simulations required for error resolution were recorded.

RESULTS

We reviewed 8 in situ simulations and identified 54 errors, of which 7 were related to medications, 20 to equipment, 21 to environment/staffing and 6 to training. The mean consequence score was 2.85/5 (standard deviation [SD] 0.75, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 28%), indicating minor to moderate harm. The mean likelihood score was 2.82/5 (SD 0.55, ICC 41%), indicating unlikely to possible. The mean risk score was 8.42/25 (SD 3.19, ICC 43%). One error (2%) was low risk, 23 (43%) were moderate risk, 26 (48%) were high risk, and 4 (7%) were extreme risk.

CONCLUSION

In situ trauma simulations are feasible in a Canadian centre and provide a safe environment to identify and rectify errors.