Validity evidence for a team-leading assessment tool in pediatric emergency resuscitations using video review.

Background: Effective leadership of health care action teams has demonstrated positive influence on team performance and patient care, but there is no consensus on how to assess these skills. We developed a novel team leadership assessment tool for leaders of interprofessional pediatric resuscitation teams and collected validity evidence for this tool using video review. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study from November 2021 to October 2022. A novel team leadership assessment tool was developed using literature review and local expertise and then piloted and refined using medical simulation. Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellows from a single tertiary care pediatric medical center were enrolled, and videos of one medical resuscitation and one trauma resuscitation were collected per fellow each month. Three reviewers underwent reviewer training and then scored the videos using the assessment tool. Raters provided feedback on feasibility and ease of use using a 5-point Likert scale. Inter-rater reliability for the assessment tool using Gwet's agreement coefficient and the association between performance and clinical level of training using generalized linear mixed model were calculated. Results: Twelve PEM fellows enrolled and 146 videos were reviewed. The inter-rater reliability for each domain ranged from 0.45 (p < 0.0001) to 0.59 (p < 0.0001), with the inter-rater reliability of the total score being 0.49 (p < 0.0001). The reviewers' mean ratings of the elements of the tool were as follows: clarity of the domains (4.6/5), the independence of each domain from each other (3.9/5), the ease of use of the 5-point Likert scale (4.5/5), the usefulness of the provided examples for each domain (4.6/5), and the ability to assess each domain without having to rewatch (4.5/5). The tool differentiated between levels of clinical training for two of the six domains (p < 0.02). Conclusions: We developed a novel team leadership assessment tool for pediatric resuscitation team leaders that demonstrated moderate inter-rater reliability. The tool was easy to use and feasible for educators to assess the performance of PEM trainees in complex high-stakes clinical situations.

Multiuser immersive virtual reality simulation for interprofessional sepsis recognition and management.

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis is a leading cause of pediatric mortality. While there has been significant effort toward improving adherence to evidence-based care, gaps remain. Immersive multiuser virtual reality (MUVR) simulation may be an approach to enhance provider clinical competency and situation awareness for sepsis. METHODS: A prospective, observational pilot of an interprofessional MUVR simulation assessing a decompensating patient from sepsis was conducted from January to June 2021. The study objective was to establish validity and acceptability evidence for the platform by assessing differences in sepsis recognition between experienced and novice participants. Interprofessional teams assessed and managed a patient together in the same VR experience with the primary outcome of time to recognition of sepsis utilizing the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique analyzed using a logistic regression model. Secondary outcomes were perceived clinical accuracy, relevancy to practice, and side effects experienced. RESULTS: Seventy-two simulations included 144 participants. The cumulative odds ratio of recognizing sepsis at 2 min into the simulation in comparison to later time points by experienced versus novice providers were significantly higher with a cumulative odds ratio of 3.70 (95% confidence interval: 1.15-9.07, p = .004). Participants agreed that the simulation was clinically accurate (98.6%) and will impact their practice (81.1%), with a high degree of immersion (95.7%-99.3%), and the majority of side effects were perceived as mild (70.4%-81.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our novel MUVR simulation demonstrated significant differences in sepsis recognition between experienced and novice participants. This validity evidence along with the data on the simulation's acceptability supports expanded use in training and assessment.

Rapid cycle deliberate practice to improve airway skills and performance of trainees in a pediatric emergency department.

Objective: The study objective was to determine the effect of a rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP) program on simulated and actual airway skills by pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellows. Methods: We designed and implemented a 12-month RCDP airway skills curriculum for PEM fellows at an academic pediatric institution. The curriculum was designed using airway training literature, RCDP principals, and internal quality assurance airway video review program. Simulation training scenarios increased in complexity throughout the curriculum. PEM fellows participated in monthly sessions. Two PEM faculty facilitated the sessions, utilizing a step-by-step objective structured clinical evaluation (OSCE)-style tool for each scenario. Data were collected for all four levels of the Kirkpatrick Model of Training Evaluation-participant response (reaction, pre-post session survey), skills performance in the simulation setting (learning, pre-post OSCE), skills performance for actual patients (behavior, video review), and patient outcomes (results, video review). Results: During the study period (August 2021 to June 2022), 13 PEM fellows participated in 112 sessions (mean nine sessions per fellow). PEM fellows reported improved comfort in all domains of airway management, including intubation performance. Participant OSCE scores improved posttraining (pretraining median score for trainees 57 [IQR 57-59], posttraining median 61 [IQR 61-62], p = 0.0005). Over the 12 months, PEM fellows performed 45 intubation attempts in the pediatric emergency department (median patient age 4 years [IQR 1-9 years]). Compared to a 5-year historical cohort, participants had higher first-pass success (87% vs. 71%, p = 0.028) and shorter attempt duration (22 s vs. 29 s, p = 0.018). There was no significant difference in the frequency of oxyhemoglobin desaturation in the training period versus the historical period (7% vs. 15%, p = 0.231). Conclusions: At multiple levels of educational outcomes, including participant behavior and patient outcomes, an RCDP program was associated with improved airway skills and performance of PEM fellows.

Improving Pediatric Procedural Skills for EMS Clinicians: A Longitudinal Simulation-Based Curriculum with Novel, Remote, First-Person-View Video-Based Outcome Measurement.

OBJECTIVE: Emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians are expected to provide expert care to all patients, but face obstacles in maintaining skillsets required in the care of critically ill or injured children. The objectives of this study were to describe and assess the effectiveness of a pediatric-focused, simulation-based, procedural training program for EMS clinicians, delivered on-site by a pediatric simulation education team. We also describe a novel, remote, asynchronous performance outcome measurement system using first-person-view video review. METHODS: This was a prospective study of simulation-based training and procedural outcomes. The study population involved EMS clinicians at three fire-based EMS agencies stratified as urban, suburban, and rural sites. The primary outcome was performance of intraosseous catheterization (IO), bag-valve-mask ventilation (BVM), and supraglottic device placement (SGD), measured across three time points. Secondary outcomes were identification of differences across EMS agencies and participant survey responses. RESULTS: We obtained video data from 122 clinicians, totaling 561 videos, with survey response rates of 89.0-91.3%. Pre-intervention scores were high: least-square means (95% confident-intervals) 9.5 (8.9, 10.2) for IO; 9.6 (9.3, 9.9) for BVM; and 11.6 (10.9, 12.2) for SGD. There was significant improvement post-intervention: 11.5 (10.7, 12.3) for IO; 11.0 (10.7, 11.4) for BVM; and 13.6 (12.8, 14.4) for SGD. Improvement was maintained at follow-up after a median of 9.5 months: 10.5 (9.8, 11.2) for IO; 10.2 (9.9, 10.6) for BVM; and 12.4 (11.7, 13.1) for SGD. There were no statistical differences between sites. Of survey respondents, half had not cared for a critically ill or injured child in at least a year, the vast majority had not had hands-on pediatric training in over 6 months, and the majority felt that training should occur at least every 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our pediatric-focused, simulation-based procedural training program was associated with improvement and maintenance of high-baseline procedural performance for EMS clinicians over the study period. Findings were consistent across sites. Remote assessment was feasible. Participant surveys emphasized a desire for more pediatric-focused training and highlighted the low frequency of clinical exposure to procedures potentially needed in the care of critically ill or injured pediatric patients.

Tolerability and Acceptability of Autonomous Immersive Virtual Reality Incorporating Digital Twin Technology for Mass Training in Healthcare.

INTRODUCTION: As part of onboarding and systems testing for a clinical expansion, immersive virtual reality (VR) incorporating digital twin technology was used. While digital twin technology has been leveraged by industry, its use in health care has been limited with no prior application for onboarding or training. The tolerability and acceptability of immersive VR for use by a large population of healthcare staff were unknown. METHODS: A prospective, observational study of an autonomous immersive VR onboarding experience to a new clinical space was conducted from May to September 2021. Participants were healthcare staff from several critical care and acute care units. Primary outcomes were tolerance and acceptability measured by reported adverse effects and degree of immersion. Secondary outcomes were attitudes toward the efficacy of VR compared with standard onboarding experiences. RESULTS: A total of 1522 healthcare staff participated. Rates of adverse effects were low and those with prior VR experience were more likely to report no adverse effects. Odds of reporting immersion were high across all demographic groups, though decreased with increasing age. The preference for VR over low-fidelity methods was high across all demographics; however, preferences were mixed when compared with traditional simulation and real-time clinical care. CONCLUSIONS: Large-scale VR onboarding is feasible, tolerable, and acceptable to a diverse population of healthcare staff when using digital twin technology. This study also represents the largest VR onboarding experience to date and may address preconceived notions that VR-based training in health care is not ready for widespread adoption.

Just-in-Time, Just-in-Place Virtual Training in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Novel Approach to Impact the Perfusion Exam.

Background: Early identification of shock is vital in decreasing morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Although residents are taught the perfusion portion of the rapid cardiopulmonary assessment at our institution, they perform it at the bedside with 8.4% completing 1 part of the assessment and 9.7% verbalizing their findings. Newer technologies, including virtual reality (VR), offer immersive training to close this clinical gap. Objective: To assess senior pediatric residents' performance of a perfusion exam and verbalization of their perfusion assessment following VR-based Just-in-Time/Just-in-Place (JITP) training compared to video-based JITP training. We hypothesized that JITP media training was feasible, and VR JITP was more effective than video-based training. Methods: Residents were randomized to VR or video-based training during shifts in the emergency department. Clinical performance was assessed by review of a video-recorded patient encounter using a standardized assessment tool and by an in-person, two question shock assessment. Residents completed a survey assessing attitudes toward their intervention at the time of training. Results: Eighty-five senior pediatric residents were enrolled; 84 completed training. Sixty-four (76%) residents had a patient encounter available for video review (VR 33; Video 31). Fourteen residents in the VR group (42.4%, 95% CI 25.5% to 60.8%) and 13 residents in the video group (41.9%, 95% CI 24.6% to 60.9%) completed a perfusion exam AND verbalized an assessment during their next clinical encounter (X2 p-value 1.00). Fifty-one of 64 residents (79.7%) completed the two-step shock assessment; 50 (98%) agreed with supervising physician's assessment. VR was rated more effective than reading, low-fidelity manikin, standardized patient encounters, traditional didactic teaching, and online learning. Video was rated more effective than online learning, traditional didactic teaching, and reading. Conclusion: Novel video and VR JITP perfusion exam and assessment trainings are impactful and well-received by senior pediatric residents.

Making a move: Using simulation to identify latent safety threats before the care of injured patients in a new physical space.

BACKGROUND: In today's rapidly changing health care environment, hospitals are expanding into newly built spaces. Preserving patient safety by identifying latent safety threats (LSTs) in advance of opening a new physical space is key to continued excellent care. At our level 1 pediatric trauma center, the hospital undertook a 5-year project to build a critical care tower, including a new emergency department with five trauma bays. To allow for identification and mitigation of LSTs before opening, we performed simulation-based clinical systems testing. METHODS: Eight simulation scenarios were developed, based on actual patient presentations, incorporating a variety of injury patterns. Scenarios included workflow and movement from the helipad and squad entrance as well as to radiology, the operating room, and the pediatric intensive care unit. A multiple resuscitation scenario was also designed to test the use of all five bays simultaneously. Multidisciplinary high-fidelity simulations were conducted in the new tower. Key trauma and emergency department stakeholders facilitated all sessions, using a structured framework for systems integration debriefing framework and failure mode and effect analysis to identify and prioritize LSTs, respectively. RESULTS: Eight sessions were conducted for 2 months. A total of 201 staff participated, including trauma surgeons, respiratory therapists, nurses, emergency physicians, x-ray technicians, pharmacists, emergency medical services, and operating room staff. In total, 118 LSTs (average of 14.8/session) were identified. Latent safety threats were categorized. An action plan for mitigation was developed after applying failure mode and effects analysis prioritization scores (based on severity, probability, and ease of detection). CONCLUSION: Systems-focused trauma simulations identified a large number of LSTs before the opening of a new critical care building. Identification of LSTs is feasible and facilitates mitigation before actual patient care begins, improving patient safety. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Sustained Improvement in the Performance of Rapid Sequence Intubation Five Years after a Quality Improvement Initiative.

Many quality improvement interventions do not lead to sustained improvement, and the sustainability of healthcare interventions remains understudied. We conducted a time-series analysis to determine whether improvements in the safety of rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in our academic pediatric emergency department were sustained 5 years after a quality improvement initiative. METHODS: There were 3 study periods: baseline (April 2009-March 2010), improvement (July 2012-December 2013), and operational (January 2014-December 2018). All patients undergoing RSI were eligible. We collected data using a structured video review. We compared key processes and outcomes with statistical process control charts. RESULTS: We collected data for 615 of 643 (96%) patient encounters with RSI performed: 114 baseline (12 months), 105 improvement (18 months), and 396 operational (60 months). Key characteristics were similar, including patient age. Statistical process control charts indicated sustained improvement of all 6 key processes and the primary outcome measure (oxyhemoglobin desaturation) throughout the 5-year operational period. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in RSI safety were sustained 5 years after a successful improvement initiative, with further improvement seen in several key processes. Further research is needed to elucidate the factors contributing to sustainability.

The Medical Resuscitation Committee: Interprofessional Program Development to Optimize Care for Critically Ill Medical Patients in an Academic Pediatric Emergency Department.

ABSTRACT: Provision of optimal care to critically ill patients in a pediatric emergency department is challenging. Specific challenges include the following: (a) patient presentations are highly variable, representing the full breadth of human disease and injury, and are often unannounced; (b) care team members have highly variable experience and skills and often few meaningful opportunities to practice care delivery as a team; (c) valid data collection, for quality assurance/improvement and clinical research, is limited when relying on traditional approaches such as medical record review or self-report; (d) specific patient presentations are relatively uncommon for individual providers, providing few opportunities to establish and refine the requisite knowledge and skill; and (e) unscientific or random variation in care delivery. In the current report, we describe our efforts for the last decade to address these challenges and optimize care delivery to critically ill patients in a pediatric emergency department. We specifically describe the grassroots development of an interprofessional medical resuscitation program. Key components of the program are as follows: (a) a database of all medical patients undergoing evaluation in the resuscitation suite, (b) peer review and education through video-based case review, (c) a program of emergency department in situ simulation, and (d) the development of cognitive aids for high-acuity, low-frequency medical emergencies.

Development and Implementation of Augmented Reality Enhanced High-Fidelity Simulation for Recognition of Patient Decompensation.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation is a core aspect of training and assessment; however, simulation laboratories are limited in their ability to visually represent mental, respiratory, and perfusion status. Augmented reality (AR) represents a potential adjunct to address this gap. METHODS: A prospective, observational pilot of interprofessional simulation assessing a decompensating patient was conducted from April to June 2019. Teams completed 2 simulations: (1) traditional training (TT) using a manikin (Laerdal SimJunior) and (2) AR-enhanced training (ART) using a manikin plus an AR patient. The primary outcome was self-assessed effectiveness at the assessment of patient decompensation. Secondary outcomes were attitudes toward and adverse effects during the AR training. RESULTS: Twenty-one simulation sessions included 84 participants in headsets. Participants reported improved ability to assess the patient's mental status, respiratory status, and perfusion status (all P < 0.0001) during ART in comparison to TT. Similar findings were noted for recognition of hypoxemia, shock, apnea, and decompensation (all P ≤ 0.0003) but not for recognition of cardiac arrest (P = 0.06). Most participants agreed or strongly agreed that ART accurately depicted a decompensating patient (89%), reinforced key components of the patient assessment (88%), and will impact how they care for patients (68%). Augmented reality-enhanced training was rated more effective than manikin training and standardized patients and equally as effective as bedside teaching. CONCLUSIONS: This novel application of AR to enhance the realism of manikin simulation demonstrated improvement in self-assessed recognition of patient decompensation. Augmented reality may represent a viable modality for increasing the clinical impact of training.

Peri-Intubation Cardiac Arrest in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Novel System of Care.

Patients with physiologic disorders, such as hypoxemia or hypotension, are at high risk of peri-intubation cardiac arrest. Standardization improves emergency tracheal intubation safety, but no published reports describe initiatives to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest. This initiative aims to improve the care of children at risk of peri-intubation cardiac arrest in a pediatric emergency department (PED). We specifically aimed to increase the number of patients between those with peri-intubation cardiac arrest by 50%, from a baseline of 11-16, over 12-months. METHODS: Our multidisciplinary team outlined a theory of improvement and designed interventions aimed at key drivers. The primary intervention was creating a PICU-ED Team (PET) and a checklist to guide the assessment and mitigation of risk for peri-intubation arrest and rapid consultation of the pediatric intensivists. The PET was iteratively refined, and we collected data by a video review of tracheal intubations. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with risk factors for peri-intubation arrest underwent tracheal -intubation in the PED from January 2016 to March 2020: 14 with PET activation since PET go-live in April 2019. None of the 14 PET patients had a peri-intubation cardiac arrest. Ninety-three percent (13/14) of PET patients were intubated in the PED, and 78% (10/13) of these patients had the first intubation attempt completed by PED physicians (balancing measures). CONCLUSION: We successfully developed the PET to mitigate the risk of peri-intubation cardiac arrest without significantly reducing key procedural opportunities for the PED. Initial data are promising, but further refinement is needed.

Identification of the Physiologically Difficult Airway in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for peri-intubation cardiac arrest in critically ill children are incompletely understood. The study objective was to derive physiologic risk factors for deterioration during tracheal intubation in a pediatric emergency department (PED). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing emergency tracheal intubation in a PED. Using the published literature and expert opinion, a multidisciplinary team developed high-risk criteria for peri-intubation arrest: 1) hypotension, 2) concern for cardiac dysfunction, 3) persistent hypoxemia, 4) severe metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.1), 5) post-return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and 6) status asthmaticus. We completed a structured review of the electronic health record for a historical cohort of patients intubated in the PED. The primary outcome was peri-intubation arrest. Secondary outcomes included tracheal intubation success rate, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) activation, and in-hospital mortality. We compared outcomes between patients meeting one or more versus no high-risk criteria. RESULTS: Peri-intubation cardiac arrest occurred in 5.6% of patients who met at least one high-risk criterion compared to 0% in patients meeting none (5.6% difference, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0 to 18.1, p = 0.028). Patients meeting at least one criterion had higher rates of any postintubation cardiac arrest in the PED (11.1% vs. 0%, 11.1% difference, 95% CI = 4.1 to 25.3, p = 0.0007), in-hospital mortality (25% vs. 2.3%, 22.7% difference, 95% CI = 11.0 to 38.9, p < 0.0001), ECMO activation (8.3% vs. 0%, 8.3% difference, 95% CI = 2.5 to 21.8, p = 0.004), and lower likelihood of first-pass intubation success (47.2% vs. 66.1%, -18.9% difference, 95% CI = -35.5 to -1.5, p = 0.038), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed criteria that successfully identify physiologically difficult airways in the PED. Children with hypotension, persistent hypoxemia, concern for cardiac dysfunction, severe metabolic acidosis, status asthmaticus or who are post-ROSC are at higher risk for peri-intubation cardiac arrest and in-hospital mortality. Further multicenter investigation is needed to validate our findings.

Developing a Profile of Procedural Expertise: A Simulation Study of Tracheal Intubation Using 3-Dimensional Motion Capture.

BACKGROUND: Improving the assessment and training of tracheal intubation is hindered by the lack of a sufficiently validated profile of expertise. Although several studies have examined biomechanics of tracheal intubation, there are significant gaps in the literature. We used 3-dimensional motion capture to study pediatric providers performing simulated tracheal intubation to identify candidate kinematic variables for inclusion in an expert movement profile. METHODS: Pediatric anesthesiologists (experienced) and pediatric residents (novices) were recruited from a pediatric institution to perform tracheal intubation on airway mannequins in a motion capture laboratory. Subjects performed 21 trials of tracheal intubation, 3 each of 7 combinations of laryngoscopic visualization (direct or indirect), blade type (straight or curved), and mannequin size (adult or pediatric). We used repeated measures analysis of variance to determine whether various kinematic variables (3-trial average for each participant) were associated with experience. RESULTS: Eleven experienced and 15 novice providers performed 567 successful tracheal intubation attempts (9 attempts unsuccessful). For laryngoscopy, experienced providers exhibited shorter path length (total distance traveled by laryngoscope handle; 77.6 ± 26.0 cm versus 113.9 ± 53.7 cm; P = 0.013) and greater angular variability at the left wrist (7.4 degrees versus 5.5 degrees, P = 0.013) and the left elbow (10.1 degrees versus 7.6 degrees, P = 0.03). For intubation, experienced providers exhibited shorter path length of the right hand (mean = 61.1 cm versus 99.9 cm, P < 0.001), lower maximum acceleration of the right hand (0.19 versus 0.14 m/s, P = 0.033), and smaller angular, variability at the right elbow (9.7 degrees versus 7.9 degrees, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study and the available literature suggest specific kinematic variables for inclusion in an expert profile for tracheal intubation. Future studies should include a larger sample of practitioners, actual patients, and measures of the cognitive and affective components of expertise.

A Video-Based, Case-Control Study of Factors Associated With Intraosseous Catheterization During Pediatric Resuscitation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Factors associated with intraosseous (IO) catheterization are not well described. Our objective is to identify factors associated with the attempt and timing of IO catheterization in a pediatric emergency department (ED) resuscitation setting. METHODS: We completed a video-based, case-control study (1:3 ratio) of children undergoing IO catheterization in the resuscitation area of a high-volume, academic, pediatric ED. We selected 8 independent factors a priori for analysis: younger than 2 years, Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 8, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), parent or caregiver presence, physician team leader with greater than 5 years of pediatric ED experience, 2 or more IO-catheterization-capable staff, ultrasonographically trained nurse vascular access team presence, and resuscitation occurring during the evening (4 pm to midnight) or overnight (midnight to 8 am) shift. We fit linear regression models to analyze for associations with IO access attempts and timing. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen patients were enrolled; 40 encounters involved IO catheterization (35.1%). Only CPR was associated with IO catheterization (odds ratio 39.0; 95% confidence interval 12.5 to 121.6). Mean time to IO attempt was shorter with CPR (3.2 versus 14.2 minutes) and longer with vascular access team presence (23.5 versus 3.4 minutes) or caregiver presence (10.5 versus 2.6 minutes). Of resuscitations that achieved peripheral intravenous access, only 1 (1.1%) did so in less than 90 seconds. CONCLUSION: CPR was the only factor associated with IO access attempts, whereas providers may have been more hesitant to attempt IO catheterization with vascular access team or caregiver presence. Future studies should include a larger, multicenter sample and use qualitative methods to explore reasons for IO catheterization hesitancy, especially in the nonarrest scenario.

Resident Performance of the Rapid Cardiopulmonary Assessment in the Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: The rapid cardiopulmonary assessment (RCPA) is an essential first step in effective resuscitation of critically ill children. Pediatric residents may not be achieving competency with resuscitative skills, including RCPA. Our objective was to determine how often pediatric residents complete the RCPA for actual patients. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional study of senior residents (≥postgraduate year 2) performing the RCPA in the resuscitation area of a high-volume pediatric emergency department (PED), where pediatric residents are expected to perform the bedside examination and assessment for all medical (nontrauma) patients. Data were collected primarily by video review on a standard form. The primary outcome was completion of the RCPA, defined as both examination and verbalized assessment of the airway, breathing, and circulation. We explored the association between RCPA completion and both residency year and number of previous PED rotations. RESULTS: Complete data were collected from one randomly selected patient for 71 (95%) of 75 of eligible senior residents who rotated in the PED between January and June 2013. Two residents (3%) performed a complete RCPA. Verbalized assessment of circulation was especially rare (7/71; 10%). There was no association between RCPA completion and year of training or previous PED experience (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Senior pediatric resident performance of the RCPA in the resuscitation area of a high-volume PED was poor. There was no association between RCPA completion and greater resident experience, including in the PED. These findings add to a growing body of literature suggesting that pediatric residents are not achieving competency with the RCPA and resuscitation skills.

Retention of Basic Neonatal Resuscitation Skills and Bag-Mask Ventilation in Pediatric Residents Using Just-in-Place Simulation of Varying Frequency and Intensity: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: Pediatric residents quickly lose neonatal resuscitation (NR) skills after initial training. Helping Babies Breathe is a skills-based curriculum emphasizing basic NR skills needed within the "Golden Minute" after birth. With this pilot study, we evaluated the feasibility of implementing a Golden Minute review and the impact on overall performance and bag-mask ventilation (BMV) skills in pediatric interns during and/or after their NICU rotation, with varying frequency and/or intensity of "just-in-place" simulation. METHODS: During their NICU rotation, interns at 1 delivery hospital received the Golden Minute module and hands-on simulation practice. All enrolled interns were randomly assigned to weekly retraining or no retraining for their NICU month and every 1- or 3-month retraining post-NICU for the remainder of their intern year, based on a factorial design. The primary measure was the score on a 21-item evaluation tool administered at the end of intern year, which was compared to the scores received by interns at another hospital (controls). RESULTS: Twenty-eight interns were enrolled in the intervention. For the primary outcome, at the end of intern year, the 1- and 3-month groups had higher scores (18.8 vs 18.6 vs 14.4; P < .01) and shorter time to effective BMV (10.6 vs 20.4 vs 52.8 seconds; P < .05 for both comparisons) than those of controls. However, the 1- and 3-month groups had no difference in score or time to BMV. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study revealed improvement in simulated performance of basic NR skills in interns receiving increased practice intensity and/or frequency than those who received the current standard of NR training.

A Validation Argument for a Simulation-Based Training Course Centered on Assessment, Recognition, and Early Management of Pediatric Sepsis.

INTRODUCTION: Early recognition of sepsis remains one of the greatest challenges in medicine. Novice clinicians are often responsible for the recognition of sepsis and the initiation of urgent management. The aim of this study was to create a validity argument for the use of a simulation-based training course centered on assessment, recognition, and early management of sepsis in a laboratory-based setting. METHODS: Five unique simulation scenarios were developed integrating critical sepsis cues identified through qualitative interviewing. Scenarios were piloted with groups of novice, intermediate, and expert pediatric physicians. The primary outcome was physician recognition of sepsis, measured with an adapted situation awareness global assessment tool. Secondary outcomes were physician compliance with pediatric advanced life support (PALS) guidelines and early sepsis management (ESM) recommendations, measured by two internally derived tools. Analysis compared recognition of sepsis by levels of expertise and measured association of sepsis recognition with the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Eighteen physicians were recruited, six per study group. Each physician completed three sepsis simulations. Sepsis was recognized in 19 (35%) of 54 simulations. The odds that experts recognized sepsis was 2.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5-13.8] times greater than novices. Adjusted for severity, for every point increase in the PALS global performance score, the odds that sepsis was recognized increased by 11.3 (95% CI = 3.1-41.4). Similarly, the odds ratio for the PALS checklist score was 1.5 (95% CI = 0.8-2.6). Adjusted for severity and level of expertise, the odds of recognizing sepsis was associated with an increase in the ESM checklist score of 1.8 (95% CI = 0.9-3.6) and an increase in ESM global performance score of 4.1 (95% CI = 1.7-10.0). CONCLUSIONS: Although incomplete, evidence from initial testing suggests that the simulations of pediatric sepsis were sufficiently valid to justify their use in training novice pediatric physicians in the assessment, recognition, and management of pediatric sepsis.

Compatibility of ZOLL Defibrillators in Simulation-Based Training.

INTRODUCTION: In response to the need for high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during cardiac arrest, our institution recently purchased ZOLL R Series monitor/defibrillators. This defibrillator provides CPR quality metrics and displays a filtered rhythm through compressions. Purchase of this defibrillator resulted in a practice change and heavily impacted our simulation-based training courses by requiring providers to practice CPR and defibrillation in as close to the real environment as possible. Thus, our objective was to determine which commercial simulators would be compatible with the ZOLL R Series defibrillator system and its CPR feedback functionality in a simulation-based training setting. METHODS: Our simulation center uses primarily Gaumard Scientific and Laerdal Medical simulators ranging in size from neonate to adult. Through an iterative process in the laboratory, we evaluated if, and to what level, the CPR display metrics, filtered rhythm, and idle time display could be demonstrated with CPR on the different simulators using infant, pediatric, and adult pads. RESULTS: Certain simulators allow demonstration and real-time practice of defibrillator functions better than others with the ZOLL R Series system when used in the context of CPR training. We have no high-fidelity infant-sized simulators that can meet the depth recommendation for chest compressions given by the American Heart Association. Ventricular fibrillation is the only rhythm that offers a filtered option. Idle time can be reliably displayed for simulators where CPR is detected. CONCLUSIONS: When a primary learning objective for simulation-based training involves training on the ZOLL R Series defibrillator, there are a limited number of simulators and rhythms that can accurately represent its features.

Using Simulation to Develop Care Models for Rapid Response and Code Teams at a Satellite Facility.

BACKGROUND: Our institution recently completed an expansion of an acute care inpatient unit within a satellite hospital that does not include an on-site ICU or PICU. Because of expected increases in volume and acuity, new care models for Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and Code Blue Teams were necessary. OBJECTIVES: Using simulation-based training, our objectives were to define the optimal roles and responsibilities for team members (including ICU physicians via telemedicine), refine the staffing of RRTs and code Teams, and identify latent safety threats (LSTs) before opening the expanded inpatient unit. METHODS: The laboratory-based intervention consisted of 8 scenarios anticipated to occur at the new campus, with each simulation followed by an iterative debriefing process and a 30-minute safety talk delivered within 4-hour interprofessional sessions. In situ sessions were delivered after construction and before patients were admitted. RESULTS: A total of 175 clinicians completed a 4-hour course in 17 sessions. Over 60 clinicians participated during 2 in situ sessions before the opening of the unit. Eleven team-level knowledge deficits, 19 LSTs, and 25 system-level issues were identified, which directly informed changes and refinements in care models at the bedside and via telemedicine consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation-based training can assist in developing staffing models, refining the RRT and code processes, and identify LSTs in a new pediatric acute care unit. This training model could be used as a template for other facilities looking to expand pediatric acute care at outlying smaller, more resource-limited facilities to evaluate new teams and environments before patient exposure.

Lessons learned from administration of high-dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate for acute pediatric spinal cord injuries.

OBJECTIVE Methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) has been studied as a pharmacological adjunct that may be given to patients with acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) to improve neurological recovery. MPSS treatment became the standard of care in adults despite a lack of evidence supporting clinical benefit. More recently, new guidelines from neurological surgeon groups recommended no longer using MPSS for ASCI, due to questionable clinical benefit and known complications. However, little information exists in the pediatric population regarding MPSS use in the setting of ASCI. The aim of this paper was to describe steroid use and side effects in patients with ASCI at the authors' Level 1 pediatric trauma center in order to inform other hospitals that may still use this therapy. METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine adherence in ordering and delivery according to the guideline of the authors' institution and to determine types and frequency of complications. Inclusion criteria included age < 17 years, blunt trauma, physician concern for ASCI, and admission for ≥ 24 hours or treatment with high-dose intravenous MPSS. Exclusion criteria included penetrating trauma, no documentation of ASCI, and incomplete medical records. Charts were reviewed for a predetermined list of complications. RESULTS A total of 602 patient charts were reviewed; 354 patients were included in the study. MPSS was administered in 59 cases. In 34 (57.5%) the order was placed correctly. In 13 (38.2%) of these 34 cases, MPSS was administered according to the recommended timeline protocol. Overall, only 13 (22%) of 59 patients received the therapy according to protocol with regard to accurate ordering and administration. Among the patients with ASCI, 20 (55.6%) of the 36 who received steroids had complications, which was a significantly higher rate than in those who did not receive steroids (8 [24.2%] of 33, p = 0.008). Among the patients without ASCI, 10 (43.5%) of the 23 who received steroids also experienced significantly more complications than patients who did not receive steroids (50 [19.1%] of 262, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS High-dose MPSS for ASCI was not delivered to pediatric patients according to protocol with a high degree of reliability. Patients receiving steroids for pediatric ASCI were significantly more likely to experience complications than patients not receiving steroids. The findings presented, including complications of steroid use, support removal of high-dose MPSS as a treatment option for pediatric ASCI.