Migdalia Serrano Smith
Cleveland Clinic, USA
Title: Using simulation to improve knowledge retention for the safety of our patients
Biography
Biography: Migdalia Serrano Smith
Abstract
Simulation is an effective learning tool, it allows for repetitive practice training on complex issues. The airline industry has been training pilots with simulators for decades and that industry continues to be the gold standard for safety. As caregivers patient safety is our number one priority. Today there are many different tools in our tool belt that we may reach for in order to keep our patients safe. We can educate and train our staff using simulation and marry that with the many care bundles that have proven to increase patient mortality and outcomes. One such bundle that has proven to be effective is the sepsis care bundle. Sepsis treatment cost can range from $19,000 to $32,000. The CDC estimates that 450,000 cases of sepsis are reported in the US alone with greater than 100,000 deaths annually. The sepsis care bundle has proven to improve the mortality rate by 14%. This research set out to compare clinical knowledge retention among caregivers after a simulation exercise versus self-study education. The simulation was validated by experts across the country and the self-study was the sepsis care path developed at our hospital. The participants were given a pre and posttest immediately following the exercise and at three months post exercise. All participants were randomized as to which educational method they would receive and the final comparison was completed at three months.