Improved performance of maternal-fetal medicine staff after maternal cardiac arrest simulation-based training

Low-Cost, Scalable Simulations in Obstetric Trauma and Resuscitative Hysterotomy for Emergency Medicine Residents

Introduction

Simulation-based learning is essential for health care providers to prepare for rare obstetric emergencies, such as severe trauma and maternal cardiac arrest. These situations demand rapid and prompt actions, often testing the skill of emergency physicians. Resuscitative hysterotomy (RH), a critical procedure in maternal cardiac arrest, requires technical expertise, coordination, and anatomical knowledge. The high cost of commercial trainers and complex existing models restricts accessibility. This resource introduces a low-cost anatomically accurate RH task trainer and assesses its effectiveness in improving skills and confidence among trainee emergency physicians.

Methods

A 20-minute-long case scenario depicted the resuscitation of a pregnant trauma patient with tension pneumothorax and uterine rupture, culminating in maternal cardiac arrest necessitating RH. Residents performed RH on the task trainer under faculty guidance. Feedback followed the Pendleton model, and an online questionnaire gauged the residents' experiences.

Results

Thirty emergency medicine residents participated in the simulation. The questionnaire revealed positive responses, confirming the session's relevance and enhancement of clinical skills and confidence.

Discussion

Our results underscore the RH task trainer's critical role in improving residents' skills and confidence during obstetric trauma simulations. Its realism and effectiveness were notably well received. Future refinements aim to augment fidelity while preserving affordability and integrating regular reinforcement sessions. This innovative educational approach equips health care professionals to respond adeptly to rare and challenging obstetric emergencies, ultimately elevating outcomes for mothers and infants during critical situations.

A Randomized Trial Assessing the Effectiveness of High-fidelity Simulation Training in Managing Maternal Cardiac Arrest among Emergency Medical Professionals in India

Introduction

Maternal cardiac arrest is a rare but critical event that poses significant risks to both the mother and the fetus. As majority of population in India lives in the rural areas, Emergency Medical Professionals assist in childbirth in transit in ambulances. This timely assistance ensures the safe transportation of both mother and new born baby to the hospital. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation training in the management of maternal cardiac arrest among emergency medical professionals.

Methods

The randomized simulation study aimed to assess the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation in managing maternal cardiac arrest. Two hundred and fifty emergency medical professionals were randomly assigned to 50 groups. Participants underwent a prebriefing session before engaging in simulation scenarios. After the initial scenarios, participants received a debriefing session emphasizing the standardized algorithm for maternal cardiac arrest management. A week later, participants engaged in a second simulation scenario, and their adherence to the algorithm was assessed. The data were analyzed using statistical tests, and the entire simulation session was video recorded for reliability.

Results

The results showed that participants demonstrated an improvement in managing both maternal and obstetric interventions in the posttraining scenario compared to the pretraining scenario. The successful implementation of the advanced cardiac life support algorithm and the debriefing session were key factors in improving participants' performance. However, continuous exposure and practice are necessary to maintain and enhance these skills.

Conclusion

Health-care professionals should actively seek opportunities for ongoing training and education to stay updated with the latest guidelines and advancements in managing maternal cardiac arrest.

2023 HRS expert consensus statement on the management of arrhythmias during pregnancy

This international multidisciplinary expert consensus statement is intended to provide comprehensive guidance that can be referenced at the point of care to cardiac electrophysiologists, cardiologists, and other health care professionals, on the management of cardiac arrhythmias in pregnant patients and in fetuses. This document covers general concepts related to arrhythmias, including both brady- and tachyarrhythmias, in both the patient and the fetus during pregnancy. Recommendations are provided for optimal approaches to diagnosis and evaluation of arrhythmias; selection of invasive and noninvasive options for treatment of arrhythmias; and disease- and patient-specific considerations when risk stratifying, diagnosing, and treating arrhythmias in pregnant patients and fetuses. Gaps in knowledge and new directions for future research are also identified.

Simulation to improve trainee knowledge and comfort in managing maternal cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND

Maternal cardiac arrest is a rare outcome, and thus there are limited opportunities for specialists in obstetrics and gynecology to acquire the skills required to respond to it through routine clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate gaps in medical education in maternal cardiac arrest and whether a simulation-based training program improves resident knowledge and comfort in the diagnosis and treatment of maternal cardiac arrest.

STUDY DESIGN

A 2-hour training for obstetrics and gynecology residents at an academic medical center was conducted, consisting of a didactic presentation, defibrillator skills station, and 2 high-fidelity simulations. Consenting residents completed a 21-item pretest followed by a 12-item posttest exploring knowledge of and exposure to maternal cardiac arrest. The McNemar and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare pre- and posttest data.

RESULTS

Of 21 residents, 15 (71.4%) had no previous education about maternal cardiac arrest, and 17 (81.0%) had never responded to a maternal code. Participants demonstrated increased knowledge about maternal cardiac arrest after the session, providing more correct answers on the reversible causes of pulseless electrical activity arrest (median 4 vs 7 correct responses; P<.01). After the training, more residents were able to identify the correct gestational age to perform a cesarean delivery during maternal cardiac arrest (19.0% vs 90.5%; P<.01) and the correct location for this procedure (52.4% vs 95.2%; P<.01). All residents reported that maternal cardiac arrest training was important and that they would benefit from additional sessions. Median composite comfort level in managing maternal cardiac arrest significantly increased after participation (pretest, 24.0 [interquartile range, 21.5-28.0]; posttest, 37.0 [interquartile range, 34.3-41.3]; P<.01).

CONCLUSION

Residents report limited exposure to maternal cardiac arrest and desire more training. Simulation-based training about maternal cardiac arrest is needed during residency to ensure that graduates are prepared to respond to this high-acuity event.

Exploring the Study of Simulation as a Continuing Professional Development Strategy for Physicians

INTRODUCTION

Practicing physicians have the responsibility to engage in lifelong learning. Although simulation is an effective experiential educational strategy, physicians seldom select it for continuing professional development (CPD) for reasons that are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to explore existing evidence on simulation-based CPD and the factors influencing physicians' engagement in simulation-based CPD.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature on simulation-based CPD included MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases. Studies involving the use of simulation for practicing physicians' CPD were included. Information related to motivations for participating in simulation-based CPD, study objectives, research question(s), rationale(s), reasons for using simulation, and simulation features was abstracted.

RESULTS

The search yielded 8609 articles, with 6906 articles undergoing title and abstract screening after duplicate removal. Six hundred sixty-one articles underwent full-text screening. Two hundred twenty-five studies (1993-2021) were reviewed for data abstraction. Only four studies explored physicians' motivations directly, while 31 studies described incentives or strategies used to enroll physicians in studies on simulation-based CPD. Most studies focused on leveraging or demonstrating the utility of simulation for CPD. Limited evidence suggests that psychological safety, direct relevance to clinical practice, and familiarity with simulation may promote future engagement.

DISCUSSION

Although simulation is an effective experiential educational method, factors explaining its uptake by physicians as a CPD strategy are unclear. Additional evidence of simulation effectiveness may fail to convince physicians to participate in simulation-based CPD unless personal, social, educational, or contextual factors that shape physicians' motivations and choices to engage in simulation-based CPD are explored.

Maternal collapse in pregnancy

Maternal collapse is a rare life-threatening event that can occur at any stage of pregnancy or up to 6 weeks postpartum. Prompt identification and timely intervention by a multidisciplinary team that includes an obstetrician, midwifery staff and an obstetric anaesthetist are essential to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Standard adult resuscitation guidelines need to be followed with some modifications, taking into account the maternal-fetal physiology, which clinicians should be familiar with. During cardiac arrest, the emphasis is on advanced airway management, manual uterine displacement to relieve aortocaval compression and performing a resuscitative hysterotomy (peri-mortem caesarean delivery) swiftly in patients who are more than 20 weeks gestation to improve maternal survival. Annual multidisciplinary simulation training is recommended for all professionals involved in maternity care; this can improve teamwork, communication and emergency preparedness during maternal collapse.

Simulation in Obstetric Emergencies

Simulation is a critical part of training for obstetric emergencies. Incorporation of this training modality has been shown to improve outcomes for patients and is now required by national accrediting organizations.

Impact of foeto-maternal resuscitation and perimortem caesarean section simulation training: An opinion survey of healthcare participants

Background:

The incidence of maternal cardiac arrest is rising in recent years. Medical staff generally lack the experience of performing resuscitation on pregnant patients. Maternal cardiac arrest and perimortem caesarean section simulation training was newly introduced in the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics provider courses in Hong Kong since April 2021.

Objective:

To evaluate the course participants’ opinions on maternal cardiac arrest simulation training.

Methods:

A questionnaire survey was conducted for all participants in the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics provider course in April 2021 to assess their opinions on the usefulness of this training.

Results:

There were four Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics provider courses in April 2021 with 36 participants in each course, and 137 questionnaires were received at the end of the course. The response rate was 137/144 (95.1%). After excluding the questionnaires with incomplete information, 134 questionnaires were included for final analysis. Almost all of the participants agreed that the maternal cardiac arrest simulation training could help them in their work (97.8%), could improve their knowledge and skill (98.5%) and could improve team training and co-ordination (97.0%). The majority of them (97.0%) felt more confident in managing maternal cardiac arrest after the training, and 97.8% of participants felt that the perimortem caesarean section model was useful for training. Around 80% of the participants would recommend this course to their colleagues. There were no significant differences in opinions on the usefulness of this training among participants with regard to their specialty, whether they were doctors or nurses, their years of experience and the specific hospital settings.

Conclusions:

Maternal cardiac arrest simulation training was highly valued by all levels of obstetric, emergency medicine and anaesthesia staff in both public and private hospitals.

Community pharmacists' perspectives about the sustainability of professional pharmacy services: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

Pharmacists have been increasing patient-focused care through the implementation and provision of professional services. However, there is a lack of evidence on how to achieve long-term sustainability of the service once it is implemented. A framework identifying the factors affecting the sustainability of professional pharmacy services was developed. The objectives of this study were to explore the experiences of community pharmacists providing professional services to contextualize and assess the applicability in practice of the sustainability framework.

METHODS

A qualitative study was undertaken across Australia. Community pharmacists were identified using snowball sampling. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Eighteen interviews were conducted and analyzed using framework methodology in NVivo 12 (QSR International).

RESULTS

A range of major sustainability factors was identified and organized in social, economic, and environmental domains. In the social domain, most of the interviewees stated the importance of motivating staff to increase service promotion and patients' demand. Most of the participants emphasized that having an adequate number of trained staff is required to enhance and maintain services over time. The perceived reluctance of some patients to spend more time than usual at the community pharmacy was another factor highlighted as affecting service sustainability. In the economic domain, the concern about lack of remuneration for service provision was highlighted by most of the interviewees. Having economic support was seen as essential for achieving sustainable services. In the environmental domain, the necessity of government recognition of the pharmacists' role and value to the health care system was identified as a new key sustainability driver.

CONCLUSION

The applicability of the framework for the sustainability of professional services was evaluated in practice. The identified factors will guide pharmacists to maintain implemented services and achieve their sustainability. Future research should focus on designing a tool to measure the sustainability of pharmacy services.

Simulation for intrapartum care: from training to novel device innovation

Improving maternal and perinatal care is a global priority. Simulation training and novel applications of simulation for intrapartum care may help to reduce preventable deaths worldwide. Evaluation studies have published details of the effectiveness of simulation training for obstetric emergencies, exploring clinical and non-clinical factors as well as the impact on patient outcomes (both maternal and neonatal). This review summarized the many uses of simulation in obstetric emergencies from training to assessment. It also described the adaption of training in low-resource settings and the evidence behind the equipment recommended to support simulation training. The review also discussed novel applications for simulation such as its use in the development of a new device for assisted vaginal birth and its potential role in Cesarean section training. This study analyzed the financial implications of simulation training and how this may impact the delivery of such training packages, considering that simulation should be developed and utilized as a key tool in the development of safe intrapartum care in both emergency and non-emergency settings, in innovation and product development.

Optimizing Perimortem Cesarean Section Outcomes Using Simulation: A Technical Report

Simulation-based medical education (SBME) is an educational technique that enables participants to experience an immersive representation of a clinical event for the purpose of practice, learning, and evaluation. This experience is intended to improve trainees’ competency and confidence in both procedural tasks, as well as team-based and interpersonal skills when responding to real-world clinical encounters. Moreover, SBME improves procedural exposure and competency in low-frequency, high-stakes clinical procedures without the risk of adverse consequences, error, or patient harm - a priority for physician training at all levels.

This technical report describes a novel bi-phasic maternal cardiac arrest simulation that can be used to teach and train post-graduate year one (PGY1) emergency medicine and obstetrics and gynecology trainees in the use of perimortem cesarean sections (PMCS) prior to in-situ exposure. Using a high-fidelity simulation protocol employing training manikins and 3-D printed models of gravid uteri, this bi-phasic simulation, completed over two sessions, six months apart, will equip trainees with the knowledge, skills, and professionalism behaviors necessary for difficult clinical decisions and time-critical procedures.

Putting the "M" back in maternal-fetal medicine: A 5-year report card on a collaborative effort to address maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have demonstrated continuous increased risk for maternal mortality and severe morbidity with racial disparities among non-Hispanic black women an important contributing factor. More than 50,000 women experienced severe maternal morbidity in 2014, with a mortality rate of 18.0 per 100,000, higher than in many other developed countries. In 2012, the first "Putting the 'M' back in Maternal-Fetal Medicine" session was held at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's (SMFM) Annual Meeting. With the realization that rising risk for severe maternal morbidity and mortality required action, the "M in MFM" meeting identified the following urgent needs: (i) to enhance education and training in maternal care for maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) fellows; (ii) to improve the medical care and management of pregnant women across the country; and (iii) to address critical research gaps in maternal medicine. Since that first meeting, a broad collaborative effort has made a number of major steps forward, including the proliferation of maternal mortality review committees, advances in research, increasing educational focus on maternal critical care, and development of comprehensive clinical strategies to reduce maternal risk. Five years later, the 2017 M in MFM meeting served as a "report card" looking back at progress made but also looking forward to what needs to be done over the next 5 years, given that too many mothers still experience preventable harm and adverse outcomes.

[An introduction to human factors: From aeronautic to obstetrics]

The theme of human factors is becoming more and more prominent in the healthcare field. Indeed, despite their expertise, healthcare providers display the same limits, those of any human being working in a team, in a system that requires high-reliability. Error is inherent in all human activity. Therefore, the study of human factors makes a perfect sense. The aim of our article is to provide to readers general and recent information on the concept of human factors, and to introduce other related notions such as "error", "fault", non-punishment of error, leadership, crew resource management, situation awareness. Indeed, in some teams, a lack of situation awareness, a poor communication, or an inadequate leadership may lead to a deteriorated clinical situation, leading to a significant and unbearable risk to our pregnant patients. We have a lot to learn from other professional systems that require high-reliability such as aeronautic, military and nuclear field for example. Thus, understanding a teamwork running and the genesis of the errors, developing some notions as illustrated by non-punishment of the error occurrence, debriefings, maintenance of regular staffs, high-fidelity simulation may allow the teams to evolve in a safer system for our pregnant patients.

Intrapartum Maternal Cardiac Arrest: A Simulation Case for Multidisciplinary Providers

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac arrest in pregnancy is rare. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support courses rarely address interventions specific to obstetric patients, and knowledge gaps are frequent among providers. The Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology and American Heart Association have published guidelines regarding management of cardiac arrest in pregnancy, and interdisciplinary simulation training has been advocated to reinforce key management points for this clinical scenario.

METHODS

In situ multidisciplinary simulation training was implemented for anesthesia and maternal fetal medicine fellows and obstetric nurses at our hospital. The case was amniotic fluid embolism in a 35-year-old parturient at term. The patient had a witnessed seizure before cardiovascular collapse. Learners were expected to initiate high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and perform a perimortem cesarean delivery within 5 minutes while demonstrating clear communication with each other. The case required a labor room, high-fidelity mannequin, defibrillator, code cart, cesarean section instruments, and simulated medications and intravenous fluids.

RESULTS

Participants comprised two obstetric anesthesia fellows, three maternal fetal medicine fellows, and three obstetric nurses. Positive feedback about the training and increased perceptions of self-efficacy were received. Potential systems issues were detected and corrected because of the training, highlighting the value of in situ drills.

DISCUSSION

We found it challenging to implement more frequent multidisciplinary sessions, but participants found the experience highly rewarding. We hope to expand the training to all physicians and nurses covering the unit on a regular basis. Modified scenario versions are being used for nursing-only and obstetric resident-only simulations during protected teaching time for those services.

Cardiac arrest during pregnancy: ongoing clinical conundrum

While global maternal mortality has decreased in the last 25 years, the maternal mortality ratio in the United States has actually increased. Maternal mortality is a complex phenomenon involving multifaceted socioeconomic and clinical parameters including inequalities in access to health care, racial and ethnic disparities, maternal comorbidities, and epidemiologic ascertainment bias. Escalating maternal mortality underscores the importance of clinician preparedness to respond to maternal cardiac arrest that may occur in any maternal health care setting. Management of maternal cardiac arrest requires an interdisciplinary team familiar with the physiologic changes of pregnancy and the maternal resuscitation algorithm. Interventions intended to mitigate obstacles such as aortocaval compression, which may undermine the success of resuscitation interventions, must be performed concurrent to standard basic and advanced cardiac life support maneuvers. High-quality chest compressions and oxygenation must be performed along with manual left lateral uterine displacement when the uterine size is ≥20 weeks. While deciphering the etiology of maternal cardiac arrest, diagnoses unique to pregnancy and those of the nonpregnant state should be considered at the same time. If initial basic life support and advanced cardiac life support interventions fail to restore maternal circulation within 4 minutes of cardiac arrest, perimortem delivery is advised provided the uterus is ≥20 weeks' size. Preparations for perimortem delivery are best anticipated by the resuscitation team for the procedure to be executed opportunely. Following delivery, intraabdominal examination may reveal a vascular catastrophe, hematoma, or both. If return of spontaneous circulation has not been achieved, additional interventions may include cardiopulmonary bypass and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Simulation and team training enhance institution readiness for maternal cardiac arrest. Knowledge gaps are significant in the science of maternal resuscitation. Further research is required to fully optimize: relief of aortocaval compression during the resuscitation process, gestational age and timing of perimortem delivery, and other interventions that deviate from nonpregnant standard resuscitation protocol to achieve successful maternal resuscitation. A robust detailed national and international prospective database was recommended by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation in 2015 to facilitate further research unique to cardiac arrest during pregnancy that will produce optimal resuscitation techniques for maternal cardiac arrest.

Simulation as a tool for improving acquisition of neonatal resuscitation skills for obstetric residents

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to compare the confidence, knowledge, and performance of obstetric residents taught initial neonatal resuscitation steps in a simulation-based versus lecture-based format.

METHODS

Our study was a prospective randomized controlled trial of 33 obstetric residents. Baseline confidence, knowledge, and clinical skills assessments were performed. Subjects were randomized to traditional lecture (n = 14) or simulation-based (n = 19) neonatal resuscitation curriculum with a focus on initial steps. Follow-up assessments were performed at 3 and 6 months. Total confidence, knowledge, and clinical performance scores and change from baseline in these scores were calculated and compared between groups.

RESULTS

Both the lecture-based and simulated-based groups demonstrated significant improvement in confidence, knowledge, and performance over time. However, compared with the lecture group, the magnitude of the mean change from baseline in performance scores was significantly greater in the simulation group at 3 months (2.9 versus 10.1; p < 0.001), but not at 6 months (7.0 versus 9.3; p = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the superiority of simulation in teaching obstetric residents initial neonatal resuscitation steps compared with a traditional lecture format. Skills are retained for upwards of 3-6 months. Refresher instruction by 6 months post-instruction may be beneficial.

Maternal collapse: Training in resuscitation

The National Committee for the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (NCCEMD) of South Africa has recommended in the Sixth Saving Mothers Report that health-care professionals (HCPs) training in managing obstetric emergencies be improved. One such measure is to ensure that the Essential Steps in Managing Obstetric Emergencies (ESMOE) with its Emergency Obstetric Simulation Training (EOST) be rolled out to every HCP working in the obstetric environment. The programme has been strengthened and rolled out in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This review focuses on the various teaching methods used to improve maternal resuscitation training in a South African context. Evidence-based interventions in maternal resuscitation will be highlighted, and recommendations for clinical practice will be suggested. Common causes of maternal collapse will be explored, and measures to improve training in these areas will be outlined. In order to ensure sustainability, quality improvement measures need to be introduced and evaluated.

A modified Delphi method to create a scoring system for assessing team performance during maternal cardiopulmonary arrest

BACKGROUND

Maternal cardiopulmonary arrest is a rare but often fatal emergency. The authors used a modified Delphi method to create a checklist of tasks for practitioners.

METHODS

Within each round, experts ranked tasks on a scale from zero through five. Consensus was defined a priori as 80% exact agreement.

RESULTS

Three rounds were required to achieve consensus resulting in a checklist of 45 tasks. Round One results revealed five tasks, Round Two included 25 tasks, and Round Three resulted in 29 tasks with 80% exact agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified Delphi method resulted in a weighted scoring system that can be used to objectively assess team performance.

Emergency obstetric simulation training: how do we know where we are going, if we don't know where we have been?

BACKGROUND

Obstetric emergencies contribute significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality. Current training in the management of obstetric emergencies in Australia and internationally focusses on utilising a multidisciplinary simulation-based model. Arguments for and against this type of training exist, using both economic and clinical reasoning.

AIMS

To identify the evidence base for the clinical impact of simulation training in obstetric emergencies and to address some of the concerns regarding appropriate delivery of obstetric emergency training in the Australian setting.

METHODS

A literature search was performed to identify research undertaken in the area of obstetric emergency training. The initial literature search using broad search terms identified 887 articles which were then reviewed and considered for inclusion if they provided original research with a specific emphasis on the impact of training on clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Ninety-two articles were identified, comprising evidence in the following clinical situations: eclampsia, shoulder dystocia, postpartum haemorrhage, maternal collapse, cord prolapse and teamwork training. Evidence exists for a benefit in knowledge or skills gained from simulation training and for the benefit of training in small units without access to high-fidelity equipment or facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence exists for a positive impact of training in obstetric emergencies, although the majority of the available evidence applies to evaluation at the level of participants' confidence, knowledge or skills rather than at the level of impact on clinical outcomes. The model of simulation-based training is an appropriate one for the Australian setting and should be further utilised in rural and remote settings.

Maternity care and liability: most promising policy strategies for improvement

BACKGROUND

The present liability system is not serving well childbearing women and newborns, maternity care clinicians, or maternity care payers. Examination of evidence about the impact of this system on maternity care led us to identify seven aims for a high-functioning liability system in this clinical context. Herein, we identify policy strategies that are most likely to meet these aims and contribute to needed improvements. A companion paper considers strategies that hold little promise.

METHODS

We considered whether 25 strategies that have been used or proposed for improvement have met or could meet the seven aims. We used a best available evidence approach and drew on more recent empirical legal studies and health services research about maternity care and liability when available, and considered other studies when unavailable.

FINDINGS

Ten strategies seem to have potential to improve liability matters in maternity care across multiple aims. The most promising strategy--implementing rigorous maternity care quality improvement (QI) programs--has led to better quality and outcomes of care, and impressive declines in liability claims, payouts, and premium levels.

CONCLUSIONS

A number of promising strategies warrant demonstration and evaluation at the level of states, health systems, or other appropriate entities. Rigorous QI programs have a growing track record of contributing to diverse aims of a high-functioning liability system and seem to be a win-win-win prevention strategy for childbearing families, maternity care providers, and payers. Effective strategies are also needed to assist families when women and newborns are injured.