A High-Fidelity Human Patient Simulation Initiative to Enhance Communication and Teamwork Among a Maternity Care Team

Abstract

Objective: To use high-fidelity human patient simulation to enhance teamwork and communication during maternity care emergencies.

Design: Quality improvement initiative.

Setting/local problem: The labor and delivery team at a large suburban Level 2 facility in the Midwestern United States sought to apply evidence and use simulation to improve communication and teamwork.

Participants: Approximately 170 maternity care staff members, including nurses, anesthesia providers, and pediatric and obstetric physicians.

Intervention/measurements: During each simulation, there were two scenarios with a debriefing session at the end of each. Teamwork and communication were evaluated using participant surveys.

Results: Participants reported improved communication (p = .031) and teamwork (p = .041) after simulation. Additionally, 81% of respondents believed that their ability to perform clinical skills improved.

Conclusion: Use of high-fidelity human patient simulation was associated with improved teamwork and communication for a maternity care team. Simulation has been incorporated into standard education. We hope to sustain successful outcomes by providing ongoing simulation experiences for labor and delivery staff annually.

Keywords: communication; interdisciplinary; labor and delivery; maternity care; patient simulation; quality improvement; teamwork.