Experts recommend using simulation training to train for high-acuity patient situations as it can enhance a learner’s know-how, build confidence, and provide a creative learning environment to boost retention.4 Simulation can prove highly effective when training healthcare professionals to detect and treat patients suspected of having sepsis.
Specifically, simulation can aid educators in the following areas:
In simulations designed to teach sepsis interventions, providers use simulators to repeatedly practice both diagnostic and treatment procedures that can optimize clinical outcomes. Learners can "rehearse" identifying early symptoms of sepsis in real-world scenarios – particularly those that may not reflect a clear-cut, simple sepsis diagnosis.
a non-complicated scenario that easily demonstrates the signs and symptoms of sepsis.
teaches learners to maintain a high sensitivity for sepsis patients while limiting false positives.
provides the opportunity to aggressively treat and understand the nuances of septic shock.
Laura Cunanan, RN, Vice President of Clinical, Bakersfield Heart Hospital, US*
Når sundhedsprofessionelle undervises, foregår det ofte i grupperinger og opdeles efter fagområde. Men tværfunktionel teamtræning kan have en positiv indvirkning på teamets interaktion i en stresset, tidsfølsom nødsituation såsom alvorlig sepsis.
Simulationstræning kan hjælpe personalet fra forskellige faggrupper og afdelinger, som spiller forskellige roller, med at udvikle effektive kommunikationsevner. Med bedre kommunikation og forebyggende teamadfærd er der større sandsynlighed for, at patienterne får en sikker behandling.
Dr. Arthur Childs ved Cape Regional Medical Center i USA krediterer simulering for hospitalets reduktion i antallet af patienter med septikæmi eller alvorlig sepsis.6 Før hans team begyndte at træne med en simulator, udviklede 72 % af hospitalets patienter med sepsis større komplikationer eller følgesygdomme. Efter simulationstræning blev denne procentdel reduceret til 63 %. Dette resultat tyder på, at patienter med sepsis nu identificeres tidligere.7
Arthur Childs, M.D., Director of Critical Care, Cape Regional Medical Center, US**
Training using simulation can reinforce the protocols that are known to be most successful in treating patients with sepsis. Research shows that learners correctly diagnose sepsis and administer antibiotics correctly when they participate in a simulation.8
And, performance scores for learners continue to improve with more than one chance to practice with simulation.9
In addition to supporting a learner’s training on protocols, simulation training offers exposure to how quickly a patient’s condition can deteriorate. Septic patient mortality increases an estimated 9% per hour when antibiotics are delayed after hypotension.10
Providing a low-risk environment to watch and treat a time-sensitive patient can teach learners the urgency required in a sepsis patient case. This understanding can then translate directly to the bedside, improving response times as well as patient outcomes.
* Zimmerman, B. (2016). 3 things to know about sepsis simulation training. Becker’s Clinical Leadership and Infection Control. Retrieved from https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/3-things-to-know-about-sepsis-simulation-training.html
** Maguire, P. (2014). See reference #6.
