Simulation-Based Up-Training in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Critical Care Medicine
• Medical Education

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic severely strained New York City's critical care workforce.
• Enhanced precautions and rising patient volumes impacted critical care delivery.
• There was an urgent need to train staff for intensive care unit (ICU) demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To familiarize pulmonary and critical care personnel with COVID-19 care protocols.
• To orient non-critical care clinicians for deployment to COVID-19 ICUs.
• To provide high-intensity, high-fidelity training for critical care procedures.

Main Methods:

• Mannequin-based simulation scenarios were utilized.
• Comprehensive debriefing sessions followed each simulation.
• Training covered respiratory/circulatory failure, bedside ultrasound, and ICU procedures.

Main Results:

• Over 200 physicians and advanced practice practitioners completed the simulation training.
• The training prepared clinicians for general critical care and COVID-19 specific care.
• Simulation supplemented and enhanced the ICU workforce during the outbreak.

Conclusions:

• Simulation training is an effective method for rapidly upskilling healthcare professionals during public health crises.
• High-fidelity simulation can bridge knowledge and skill gaps in critical care.
• This approach bolstered the ICU workforce during the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak.