Acute Chest Syndrome.

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Hematology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a severe complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), affecting up to 50% of patients with a significant mortality rate.
• Diagnostic criteria include pulmonary infiltrates with fever, cough, hypoxemia, or chest pain, often precipitated by infection or infarction.
• Effective management requires prompt recognition and intervention, including hydration, antibiotics, analgesia, and oxygen therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of oral board simulations in training emergency medicine residents to manage acute chest syndrome in patients with sickle cell disease.
• To assess residents' ability to rapidly diagnose and stabilize patients presenting with respiratory distress and hypoxia.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a simulated patient case for oral board testing to assess critical thinking and clinical skills.
• Employed an online evaluation tool (Google Forms) to track critical actions and provide immediate feedback.
• Tied case performance to Emergency Medicine Milestones for competency evaluations.

Main Results:

• Residents found the oral board simulation format engaging and preferable to traditional lectures.
• Participants reported increased confidence in managing high-stakes scenarios and passing certification exams.
• The simulation effectively assessed residents' ability to rapidly assess and manage life-threatening conditions.

Conclusions:

• Oral board simulations serve as an effective tool for training emergency medicine residents in managing acute chest syndrome.
• This method enhances diagnostic and management skills under simulated high-stress conditions.
• The simulation provides a valuable, low-stakes environment for practicing critical care in emergency medicine.