Pediatric Polytrauma Fire Victim Simulation.

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Pediatric Critical Care
• Toxicology

Background:

• Pediatric trauma is a leading cause of mortality.
• Existing literature lacks combined cases of mechanical trauma with cyanide (CN) toxicity, carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity, and smoke inhalation.
• Fire-related injuries present complex multisystem challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a simulation case for managing pediatric trauma with combined mechanical and metabolic concerns.
• To assess emergency medicine resident confidence in managing airway, burns, hemoperitoneum, and CO/CN toxicities post-simulation.

Main Methods:

• A 45-minute simulation case was developed for emergency medicine residents and fellows.
• Participants managed a simulated pediatric patient extracted from a van fire with trauma and metabolic issues.
• Learning objectives included airway management, burn care, hemoperitoneum, and CO/CN toxicity treatment.

Main Results:

• Forty learners participated, many with limited prior experience in these specific scenarios.
• All participants found the case relevant to their work.
• Post-simulation, 100% were confident managing CO toxicity and surveys; 97% were confident with smoke inhalation, difficult airways, and CN toxicity.

Conclusions:

• The simulation case is a valuable tool for teaching pediatric trauma and fire-related metabolic derangements.
• It provides a rare but crucial opportunity to practice multisystem trauma management for emergency providers.
• The case successfully enhanced learner confidence in managing complex pediatric emergencies.