Utilization of Simulation Techniques to Enhance Quality Improvement Processes in the Emergency Department

Introduction Quality improvement projects can help improve clinical practice in an emergency department (ED). However, it is difficult to measure outcomes in rare clinical conditions. We used a simulation program to evaluate a new protocol and workflow in the emergency blood transfusion process as well as provide additional trauma training. To determine if implementing a trauma simulation would help improve the self-reported understanding of the emergency blood transfusion process by both the ED and laboratory staff. Methods Emergency medicine residents and nursing staff participated in a high-fidelity trauma simulation. ED nursing and hospital laboratory staff used the simulation to test a new process for notification and transport of blood within the hospital. All of the participants were provided a four-item Likert scale questionnaire immediately after the training to evaluate their understanding of the ED blood process.  Results There was a significant improvement in overall scores based on paired t-tests in the full group (pre 15.0 versus post 17.6, p = 0.0005) and ED group (pre 14.7 versus post 17.8, p = 0.0007) but not in the lab group (pre 15.8 versus post 17.2, p = 0.296).  Conclusion Simulation appears to be helpful to evaluate and implement a new ED protocol or workflow.