Authors

  1. Pak, Kellyn May RN, MSN, MICN, CEN
  2. Hardasmalani, Madhu MD

Abstract

Emergency nurses frequently encounter critically injured patients who require the involvement of multiple disciplines and specialties. There is a high probability of errors jeopardizing patient safety in such a hectic work environment. To identify patient safety risks, a multidisciplinary in situ simulation drill was conducted that involved physicians and nurses from different specialties including trauma, obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, and emergency care. After the drill, each individual specialty was debriefed, followed by a large-group debriefing that included all specialties. Corrective actions were implemented in the identified areas of weakness. Emergency nursing identified patient safety risks from a lack of familiarity with equipment, poor communication, and poor documentation. This project demonstrated that multidisciplinary in situ simulation was an effective method of identification of patient safety risks that arise during trauma resuscitation. Follow-up multidisciplinary in situ simulation drills will assess the efficacy of our interventions and staff education.