This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free All Versions of this Article: chest.07-0131v1 133/1/56    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Article Archive Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wayne, D. B. Articles by McGaghie, W. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wayne, D. B. Articles by McGaghie, W. C. Related Content Related Editorial

Simulation-Based Education Improves Quality of Care During Cardiac Arrest Team Responses at an Academic Teaching Hospital^*

A Case-Control Study

^* From the Department of Medicine (Drs. Wayne, Didwania, Feinglass, and Barsuk, and Ms. Fudala), and the Office of Medical Education and Faculty Development (Dr. McGaghie), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.

Correspondence to: Diane B. Wayne, MD, Northwestern University, Department of Medicine, 251 E Huron St, Galter 3-150, Chicago, IL 60611; e-mail: dwayne{at}northwestern.edu

Abstract

Background: Simulation technology is widely used in medical education. Linking educational outcomes achieved in a controlled environment to patient care improvement is a constant challenge.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study of cardiac arrest team responses from January to June 2004 at a university-affiliated internal medicine residency program. Medical records of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) events were reviewed to assess adherence to ACLS response quality indicators based on American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. All residents received traditional ACLS education. Second-year residents (simulator-trained group) also attended an educational program featuring the deliberate practice of ACLS scenarios using a human patient simulator. Third-year residents (traditionally trained group) were not trained on the simulator. During the study period, both simulator-trained and traditionally trained residents responded to ACLS events. We evaluated the effects of simulation training on the quality of the ACLS care provided.

Results: Simulator-trained residents showed significantly higher adherence to AHA standards (mean correct responses, 68%; SD, 20%) vs traditionally trained residents (mean correct responses, 44%; SD, 20%; p = 0.001). The odds ratio for an adherent ACLS response was 7.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 28.6) for simulator-trained residents compared to traditionally trained residents after controlling for patient age, ventilator, and telemetry status.

Conclusions: A simulation-based educational program significantly improved the quality of care provided by residents during actual ACLS events. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that simulation can be a useful adjunct to traditional methods of procedural training.

Key Words: advanced cardiac life support • cardiopulmonary resuscitation • medical education • simulation technology

Related Editorial

Simulation: About Safety, Not Fantasy

William Dunn and Joseph G. Murphy
Chest 2008 133: 6-9. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. Dunn and J. G. Murphy Simulation: About Safety, Not Fantasy Chest, January 1, 2008; 133(1): 6 - 9. [Full Text] [PDF]