6628 Frequent resuscitation focused in-situ simulation training for acute paediatric healthcare professionals: a cross-over cohort study

Objectives Simulation training has become an established part of training programmes in acute paediatric units. A common arrangement is for staff to have internal resuscitation training annually, with senior team members completing externally accredited courses every 4 years. This study investigated the potential to improve specific skills required in paediatric resuscitation. Mastery of resuscitations skills deteriorates within shorter periods than 12 months. Incorporating refresher training into ward simulation programmes may be an efficient method to mitigate skill decay. Methods This was a crossover study with the intervention delivered on one ward across the multi-site trust for 3 months, then on the other site for 3 months. The intervention was the inclusion of a resuscitation-based scenario every 3 weeks, as part of the established simulation programme, with refresher training in resuscitation skills using an AW- QCPR Manikin (Laerdal), specifically airway opening skills, bag-valve-mask ventilation and chest compressions. Assessment of the MDT members was completed on both wards before the study period, after the first 3 months and after the second 3 months. Each assessment period was 3 days on each site, where all team members on duty were invited to participate. Nurses, doctors and advanced clinical practitioners all took part. Assessments were completed using the validated RESCAPE tool.1 Anonymous feedback forms were also collected from participants and educators in the training sessions. Results 101 individual staff were assessed at least once during the study period, completing a total of 141 assessments. Participant recruitment is shown in figure 1. Data sets were identified to be left skewed since a proportion of participants scored the maximum or close to the maximum RESCAPE score (30), therefore all data is presented as median and non-parametric statistical tests are used. Baseline analysis showed similar skills across the 2 paediatric wards before interventions were delivered. Median RESCAPE baseline scores were 22.5. Scores in the intervention group increased to 28 and this change was significantly more than the median 25 in the control group (Mann-Whitney U p=value Conclusion This study deliberately examined the impact of a realistic intervention and its effect on the resuscitation skills of the team. The relatively low engagement from team members in nursing disciplines, reflects the potential real-life limitations of any simulation programme. Integrating regular resuscitation skills training into existing simulation programmes is valuable even when attendance across the MDT cannot be assured. Delivery of the study combined with positive feedback from the educators and participants demonstrates that the model of integrating resuscitation training regularly with simulation training is viable. Reference Faudeux C, et al. Development of reliable and validated tools to evaluate technical resuscitation skills in a pediatric simulation setting: resuscitation and emergency simulation checklist for assessment in pediatrics. J Pediatr. 2017Sep;188:252–257.e6 PMID: 28456389.