Maternity Care Simulation in Rural Texas to Improve Clinician Knowledge and Skills

Maternal mortality rates in the United States are alarmingly high, especially in rural areas with limited access to care. Clinicians in rural hospitals are challenged to maintain their obstetric knowledge and skills due to low patient volumes and limited educational opportunities. The purpose of this project was to improve maternity care in rural Texas by providing tailored obstetric education and simulations to enhance emergency response and team collaboration.

A team of five nurses provided simulation-based perinatal education to clinicians in 10 rural facilities and maternity deserts, including county emergency services. Tailored simulations conducted in situ addressed various obstetric emergencies and were designed to match each facility's staffing ratios. Post-simulation surveys were sent to evaluate participants' understanding, recognition, communication, and collaboration.

Surveys from 48 participants, including nurses, technicians, and other health care professionals, indicated significant improvements in understanding, recognition, communication, and preparedness for obstetrical emergencies after simulation training. Qualitative feedback underscored the project's success, highlighting the increased confidence, knowledge, and multidisciplinary collaboration among the participants. The simulation education effectively addressed facility-specific needs, enhancing overall effectiveness and engagement, despite challenges with participant attendance and group sizes.

Perinatal outreach has improved rural health care teams' confidence, preparedness, and competence in managing obstetric emergencies through specialized education and hands-on simulations. To ensure continued success, it is crucial to continually reassess and adapt educational programs to meet the evolving needs of rural health care facilities, thereby enhancing patient care and outcomes.