Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
PEAK-II Trach: A Multi-Institutional Quality Improvement/Simulation Study Assessing Pediatric Emergency Readiness
Olivia Dunne1, Amanda Shen1, Roxanna Mosavian1
1Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
Insights
Pediatric tracheostomy emergencies require rapid team response. In situ simulations identified system weaknesses and team performance variations impacting emergency preparedness, guiding targeted improvements.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Healthcare Simulation
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Pediatric tracheostomy emergencies are critical events demanding swift, coordinated care.
- Assessing team performance and system factors is crucial for optimizing emergency response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate objective team performance during pediatric tracheostomy emergencies using in situ simulation.
- To identify latent safety threats (LSTs) and resilience supports influencing emergency readiness across various clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Conducted in situ simulations of pediatric tracheostomy emergencies in 11 hospitals.
- Utilized NeoCHART+™ for recording critical action times and structured debriefs for LST identification.
- Employed multivariable Cox models to analyze predictors of timely critical actions.
Main Results:
- 77% of teams successfully replaced tracheostomy tubes within 5 minutes.
- Common LSTs included ventilation issues, unclear leadership, and equipment non-standardization.
- Respiratory therapists and dedicated tracheostomy teams improved critical action times.
Conclusions:
- In situ simulation effectively identified system-level LSTs, resilience factors, and performance variability in pediatric tracheostomy emergencies.
- Findings can inform targeted interventions to enhance pediatric tracheostomy emergency preparedness.
Objective:
Pediatric tracheostomy emergencies are high-acuity events requiring rapid, coordinated team-based care. This study assessed objective team performance and used in situ simulation to identify systems factors, including latent safety threats (LSTs) and resilience supports, that influence pediatric tracheostomy emergency readiness across diverse clinical settings.
Methods:
In situ simulations of pediatric tracheostomy emergencies (obstructed or partially dislodged tubes) were conducted across inpatient floors, critical care units, and emergency departments at 11 pediatric hospitals. Time to completion of critical actions was recorded using the NeoCHART+™ for PEAK-II mobile application. Structured debriefs identified LSTs and resilience supports at unit and hospital levels. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models assessed predictors of time-critical actions (tube replacement, suction, first effective ventilation) and the percentage of critical actions completed.
Results:
Sixty-seven baseline simulations were conducted across 11 institutions. Seventy-seven percent of teams replaced an identical tracheostomy tube within 5 minutes (median 188.4 seconds, [IQR 165.3, 204.6]). Teams reported a median of 3.2 LSTs per simulation (IQR 3.0, 4.0). Common LSTs included attempted ventilation through occluded tracheostomy tubes, unclear leadership, ambiguous role definitions, and non-standardized equipment locations. Teams with a RT and at institutions with a dedicated tracheostomy team performed time-critical actions faster.
Discussion:
In situ simulation revealed LSTs, resilience supports, and performance variability that may influence effective pediatric tracheostomy emergency response at the systems level.
Implications For Practice:
Variability identified in systems factors and team performance can guide targeted interventions to improve pediatric tracheostomy emergency preparedness.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use
Endotracheal Intubation II: Nursing Management
1. Nursing Care of Patients Before Intubation
Before the endotracheal intubation procedure, nurses play an essential role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. The nurses must be familiar with intubation...
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
