Background: Simulation is known to improve communication and
comfort in obstetric emergency. Little data exist regarding simulation for
enhancing expertise in debriefing and evaluating system errors.
Methods: The simulation highlights an unresponsive patient
shortly following a preterm delivery at 30 weeks gestation. The team discovers
an accidental bolus of intravenous magnesium was given instead of postpartum
oxytocin. Following conclusion of the simulation, participants were asked to
lead a debrief session. Surveys were performed to assess participant comfort
with magnesium toxicity, debriefing, evaluating a medical error, and
communication during an emergency.
Results: Participants felt the simulation was (1) a realistic
scenario that allowed practice debriefing a medical error within a large
multidisciplinary team, (2) a place to practice high acuity care and
communication, and (3) a safe place to receive and provide feedback. On
average, residents reported an increase in comfort with management of magnesium
toxicity from little comfort(2/5) tomoderate comfort(4/5). In general,
participants (90%; N=10) felt like they learned advanced management of acute
magnesium toxicity. All participants (100%; N=10) reported they would recommend
this simulation to others in their profession.
Discussions: We have designed a simple model that highlights the
importance of (1) communication during an obstetric emergency and (2)
debriefing and evaluating errors from systems perspective. This model increased
participant knowledge and comfort with magnesium toxicity and promoted a safe
culture to discuss medical errors and practice debriefing.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2019, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Residency Director, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, CME, Simulation, Quality & Safety, Team-Based Learning,
Jaclyn Phillips,
MD, George
Washington University; Maryalice Wolfe, MD;
Lauren Nelson,
MD; Kathryn
Marko, MD
