Enhancing departmental preparedness for COVID-19 using rapid-cycle in-situ simulation.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare simulation
• Patient safety
• Infectious disease preparedness

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adaptation of healthcare systems.
• Identifying and mitigating latent safety threats is crucial for effective response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a rapid-cycle in-situ simulation (ISS) program.
• To identify and resolve systems-based safety threats related to COVID-19 patient care.

Main Methods:

• Conducted five ISS sessions over six weeks using a mannequin simulating COVID-19 respiratory failure with aerosolized secretions.
• Thirty-six participants engaged in simulations, with 20 additional observers.
• Debriefing sessions were used to identify safety threats.

Main Results:

• Latent safety threats were identified across four domains: personnel, personal protective equipment (PPE), supply/environment, and communication.
• These identified threats were addressed and resolved in subsequent simulation iterations.
• Ninety-four percent of participants reported increased preparedness for managing potential COVID-19 cases.

Conclusions:

• Rapid-cycle ISS is an effective method for identifying and resolving safety threats in healthcare settings.
• Simulation-based training significantly enhances healthcare professionals' confidence and readiness to manage emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19.