Using simulation to teach nursing students and licensed clinicians obstetric emergencies

Improving patient safety in healthcare has reached critical mass both in the United States and worldwide. Effective communication between nurses and other members of the healthcare team is an essential component of patient safety. In obstetrics, poor communication and teamwork were causative factors in many of reviewed sentinel event cases. Simulation is a recommended teaching strategy used to improve communication and teamwork skills, and therefore patient safety, among interprofessional team members. This article offers a strategy in the form of a shoulder dystocia simulation that can be implemented in either academic or clinical settings. Simulations such as this one can be used to enhance teamwork and communication skills of healthcare professionals, both in educational institutions and in clinical practice settings, with a goal of improving patient safety.