From Scenario to Reality: How Tabletop Exercises Transformed Emergency Management in Outpatient Dialysis Care

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Outpatient dialysis settings require robust emergency preparedness due to patients' reliance on life-sustaining treatments.
• Vulnerable dialysis patient populations face significant risks from disruptions caused by natural disasters or infrastructure failures.
• Continuity of dialysis care is threatened by various emergencies, highlighting the need for effective readiness strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the creation and implementation of a tabletop exercise for emergency preparedness in outpatient dialysis settings.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of tabletop exercises in strengthening emergency readiness for rapidly escalating scenarios.
• To identify operational gaps in existing emergency protocols through simulated emergency response.

Main Methods:

• Development and execution of a scenario-based tabletop exercise simulating a hurricane with a changing path and rapid intensification.
• Facilitation of active engagement, interdisciplinary communication, and real-time problem-solving among healthcare teams.
• Structured, low-risk environment for rehearsing emergency response procedures.

Main Results:

• The tabletop exercise provided a platform for healthcare teams to practice emergency response procedures.
• The simulation facilitated the identification of operational gaps within existing emergency protocols.
• Active engagement and interdisciplinary communication were promoted during the exercise.

Conclusions:

• Tabletop exercises are an effective strategy for enhancing emergency preparedness in outpatient dialysis settings.
• Simulations help identify and address vulnerabilities in emergency protocols for vulnerable patient populations.
• Regularly rehearsing response procedures strengthens healthcare teams' ability to manage complex emergencies and ensure patient safety.