Abstract

Research Question

Does the implementation of a pediatric in-situ trauma simulation curriculum adequately prepare a trauma team and the institution for designation as a trauma center?

Discussion

Trauma is the known leading cause of death and acquired disability in children and adolescents. Initial intervention in the Emergency Department significantly impacts patient outcomes. Adhering to developed protocols, activating adequate and appropriate resources, competent use of equipment and effective team communication are  necessary to mitigate severity of injury¹. The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocol², the gold standard for acute trauma management, has shown consistently to improve patient outcomes.

Problem Statement

There was no current curricula developed to evaluate adherence with protocols, clinical competency, efficacy, role accountability and communication as a Interprofessional (IP) Trauma Team.

Purpose and Background

This 356 bed non-profit Children’s Hospital has worked toward a Pediatric Level II Trauma Center Designation for eight years. As the only Children’s Hospital serving 45,000 square miles and over 977,600 children³ of varying ethnicities, the importance of a specialty pediatric Trauma Team available was crucial to the family centered care with the closest center three hours away out of the valley.  Plus, many families within this region live in severe poverty and have no transportation.⁴