An Inexpensive, High-Fidelity Resuscitative Hysterotomy (RH) Model With Hemorrhage Capability

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Emergency Medicine
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Resuscitative hysterotomy (RH) is a critical, time-sensitive procedure for emergency physicians.
• Existing low-cost RH task trainers have limitations.
• Improved synthetic materials and hemorrhage capability are needed for effective RH training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct and evaluate an inexpensive resuscitative hysterotomy task trainer with enhanced realism and hemorrhage simulation.
• To assess the perceived usefulness of the task trainer's features.
• To measure the change in emergency medicine residents' confidence in performing RH after simulation training.

Main Methods:

• Developed a low-cost RH task trainer using polyurethane, foam, synthetic chamois, and IV tubing for hemorrhage.
• The trainer was utilized in a simulation conference, adaptable as a table-top model (TTM) or high-fidelity simulator (HFSAM).
• Emergency medicine residents (n=20) participated in simulations and completed anonymous surveys rating model realism and procedural confidence.

Main Results:

• The task trainer, both as TTM and HFSAM, was rated highly realistic (mean 8.9 and 8.7, respectively).
• Overall educational value was rated very high (mean 9.8).
• Resident confidence in performing RH significantly increased from a low baseline (mean 4.0) to a higher level post-simulation (mean 7.9; P<0.001).

Conclusions:

• An inexpensive, realistic RH task trainer with hemorrhage capability was successfully developed and evaluated.
• The task trainer effectively enhances emergency medicine residents' confidence in performing resuscitative hysterotomy.
• This model offers a valuable, accessible tool for RH simulation training.