Journal of Surgical Simulation 2017; 4: A: 6 - 6

Published: 19 January 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1102/2051-7726.2017.A006

Oral presentation

Special Issue: In situ simulation in primary care: an AHP lead chronic respiratory simulation programme

Laura Graham, Alice Kenward and Val Dimmock
Corresponding author: Laura Graham, Adult Cardiorespiratory Enhanced and Responsive Service (ACERS), Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, London E9 6SR, UK . Email: Laura.Graham@Homerton.nhs.uk

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the benefit to staff of the Adult Cardiorespiratory Enhanced and Responsive Service (ACERS) in situ simulation training program in the management of complex patients with chronic respiratory disease in City and Hackney and to identify if simulation training can be run in effectively in a community environment.  To manage the challenges that community working can bring, improve the effectiveness and safety of care.

Method: ACERS is a multidisciplinary team consisting of physiotherapists, nurses, psychologists, administrators, rehabilitation assistants and students.   All scenarios were based on real clinical scenarios and run in-situ in the community. After each scenario, a debrief session was held to increase learning and discuss implementation of learning in practice.  A locally developed standard evaluation form was completed by each staff member at the end of the simulation training, which was analysed to answer the aims of this evaluation.

Results: The ACERS simulation training programme has run from July 2015 and a total 16 sessions of simulation training have been held.  100% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that simulation training influenced their clinical practice and benefited patient care. Commonly reported themes on the evaluation forms were: increased empowerment, improved confidence of managing complex patients and situations, improved reflective practice, identification of areas for further professional development and a development of communication skills.

Conclusion: The simulation programme has provided valuable simulated practice training to staff within the ACERS team and was highly valued by all involved.  Run in the community, it provides training within a realistic setting, allowing for real time pressures and with minimal disruption to the service.  Latent errors have been identified via the ACERS simulation training programme, which have enhanced clinical practice and improved safety.

Keywords

healthcare simulation; primary care; in situ simulation; allied health; cardiorespiratory; multiprofessional

Additional Information

This presentation was given at the 6th Annual Homerton Simulation Conference: Safety Engineering and Simulation in Healthcare, Homerton University Hospital, London, UK, on 1 December 2016.

Conflicts of interest: none declared.