A Simulation-Based Clinical Systems Testing at the Newly Built LMU University Hospital: Comparison Between In Situ...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• Clinical Simulation

Background:

• Optimal preparation of healthcare personnel is crucial before opening new clinical facilities.
• Simulation-based clinical systems testing (SbCST) is a validated method for this preparation.
• SbCST identifies latent safety threats (LSTs) that could compromise patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of two SbCST methods: in situ full-scale simulation and process simulation.
• To analyze the categories of LSTs identified by each simulation type.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of SbCST in preparing staff for new hospital environments.

Main Methods:

• SbCST was conducted at a new hospital using both in situ full-scale and process simulation.
• Participant feedback was gathered through pre- and post-session surveys.
• Identified LSTs were categorized using risk matrices based on probability and impact on patient safety and staff.

Main Results:

• 120 participants found SbCST highly useful for new facility preparation, rating both simulation types positively.
• Common LSTs across both methods involved equipment, team dynamics, room layout, and accessibility.
• Full-scale simulation identified fewer LSTs with high severity concerning patient safety and staff strain compared to process simulation.

Conclusions:

• Both in situ full-scale and process simulation are effective for identifying LSTs and preparing healthcare professionals for new facilities.
• The choice of simulation type may depend on the construction phase.
• Utilizing existing risk management tools aids hospital administrators in prioritizing identified LSTs.