In-Situ Simulation in Interdisciplinary Family Practice Improves Response to In-Office Emergencies

Background Medical emergencies can present to family medicine offices. For optimal patient outcomes, multiple team members must come together to provide emergency care and mobilize the appropriate resources. In-situ simulation has been used to improve provider knowledge, skills, and attitudes as well as identify latent safety threats. The aim of this training was to provide family medicine physicians, nurses, and office staff education about how to manage in-office emergencies. Specifically, we sought to clarify team members’ roles, improve communication, and identify latent safety threats. Methodology Two different in-situ simulations were performed with debriefing sessions. The first was a pediatric patient in respiratory distress. The second was a patient who presented for shortness of breath and became unresponsive in the lobby. Physicians, nurses, and office staff responded to the emergencies and used existing equipment and protocols to medically manage each patient. A standardized return on investment in learning survey evaluating the learners’ confidence in managing in-office emergencies was completed by all learners immediately prior to and after the training. Results The training improved the participants’ self-reported confidence in their ability to manage in-office emergencies. Additionally, participants believed they were better able to identify other team members’ roles when responding to an in-office emergency. Learners were able to identify where knowledge gaps existed in current protocols, as well as aspects of the protocols that required updating. Lastly, the teams identified latent safety threats that were able to be mitigated by the practice. Conclusions In-situ simulation for high-risk, low-frequency in-office emergencies is a valuable tool to improve team members’ confidence, identify knowledge gaps, and mitigate latent safety threats.