Effective performance of a new post-operative cardiac resuscitation simulation training scheme in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: This feasibility study aimed to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a novel chest re-opening paediatric resuscitation scenario training scheme.
METHODS: A novel scheme offering training on specialist skills required for post-operative cardiac patients such as chest re-opening and cardiac pacing via simulation was described. A prospective audit of the first 23 consecutive training sessions was conducted to assess the scheme's effectiveness. Parameters assessed included timing of chest re-opening or cardiac pacing orders, and any delays in carrying out these orders.
RESULTS: The median time required for the medical team leader to order chest re-opening was 4 min. New medical leaders took significantly longer to order chest re-opening than experienced medical team leaders (P = 0.02, Mann-Whitney U test). The performance of the team-in-training deteriorated with the introduction of new members but was correctable with serial training.
CONCLUSIONS: Effective simulation training integrating chest re-opening and cardiac pacing into standard paediatric resuscitation guidelines may be achieved without high fidelity simulation equipment.