Open AccessIn situ simulation in a time of pandemic
Author(s) -
Shin Ying,
Thng,
Leong,
Blanchard-Rohner Geraldine,
Guat Keng Yvonne,
; Goh,
Minghong Tan,
Ching Ching Elaine,
Kock Keng Goh,
Jimmy ',
Kuan,
Kaibin Kelvin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the asia pacific scholar
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2424-9335
pISSN - 2424-9270
DOI - 10.29060/taps.2021-6-3/sc2342
Subject(s) - debriefing , pdca , staffing , resuscitation , medical emergency , pandemic , patient safety , work (physics) , contingency plan , set (abstract data type) , covid-19 , medicine , health care , nursing , operations management , emergency medicine , computer science , quality management , medical education , engineering , computer security , economic growth , pathology , programming language , mechanical engineering , management system , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics
Introduction: Singapore was one of the earliest countries affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, requiring our emergency department to respond urgently to this surge. A designated Fever Area (FA) with a resuscitation room was rapidly set up to manage patients at risk of COVID-19. Our paper describes measures put into this new area to optimise safety outcomes of these patients.Methods: Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles incorporating in-situ simulation in the FA resuscitation room were conducted. Using varied resuscitation scenarios and facilitated debriefing, we identified safety gaps and took immediate steps to rectify them in a collaborative manner involving various respective stakeholders.Results: Following reflective debriefing and studying of work processes, latent safety threats were identified resulting in successful improvements and modifications to protocols, equipment, staffing and processes in the FA resuscitation area.Conclusion: PDSA cycles involving in-situ simulation helped to identify safety threats and refine work processes in a newly set up FA facility. As a result, our healthcare team was more prepared to manage the complexities of COVID-19 patients in a high-risk environment.