Implementation and Evaluation of a Team Simulation Training Program

Trauma care, characterized by complex, shifting priorities, presents many challenges to providers. Traditionally, immediate trauma care has been provided in emergency departments. It has recently been recognized that severely injured patients receive better care with improved outcomes when they bypass the emergency department and are admitted directly to the trauma surgical intensive care unit (TSICU). To assure that TSICU nurses and interprofessional staff are prepared to handle such patients, all new registered nurses in the TSICU of a Level I Trauma Center participate in a one-day Trauma Boot Camp. Originally, the focus of the Trauma Boot Camp was solely on direct patient care. Recognition by The Joint Commission and the Institute of Medicine that successful teamwork is critical for positive patient outcomes; a team-training component was added to the Trauma Boot Camp curriculum and evaluation. The purpose of this capstone project was to implement a simulation-based team-training (SBTT) component as part of a comprehensive trauma nurse-training program. Evaluation of the team training included knowledge, nurse satisfaction, nurse self-confidence, and simulated team performance. Seven registered nurses in the TSICU received teamwork training during the Trauma Boot Camp. Total teamwork perceptions and attitudes scores improved (p=.041 and p=.021 respectively) after the training. Participants agreed or strongly agreed when rating satisfaction and self-confidence in learning after the SBTT. Observed team performance improved after the SBTT. The results indicate favorable outcomes for use of SBTT