In situ simulation in the management of anaphylaxis in a pediatric emergency department. 2019

Simona Barni, and Francesca Mori, and Mattia Giovannini, and Marco de Luca, and Elio Novembre
Allergy Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 24, 50134, Florence, Italy. simonabarni@hotmail.com.

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening, rapid-onset hypersensitive reaction, usually treated in the emergency department (ED). Failure to recognize anaphylaxis leads to under-treatment with epinephrine and even when correctly diagnosed, epinephrine is not always administered. In addition, often patients who are treated in the ED are not referred for allergy work-up. Simulation is a tool that increases exposure to events in a safe environment, allowing trainers to develop skills without harming patients. The main purpose of our study was to determine whether in situ simulation training increases the frequency of epinephrine use. The secondary aim was to observe whether simulation modifies the number of children investigated over the years before and after the setting up of the simulation training. All patients with anaphylaxis referred to the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) of the Anna Meyer Children's Hospital from 2004 to 2010 [pre-simulation (PRE-s) period], and from 2011 to 2016 [post-simulation (POST-s) period], were retrospectively included in this observational study. Simulation was carried out using a high-fidelity patient simulator mannequin (SimBaby, Laerdal Medical, Inc, Stavanger, NY). The diagnosis of anaphylaxis was based on the EAACI guidelines. The use of epinephrine significantly increased (p < 0.05) between the PRE-s and POST-s time periods: 2.4% versus 10% patients, respectively. During the two time periods, we also observed a significant increase (p = 0.011) in the number of patients who underwent a complete allergy work-up: 36% versus 51% patients, respectively. According to our results, the in situ simulation program improved the correct management of anaphylaxis in terms of prompt use of epinephrine, and it also led to a higher number of patients being referred to the allergy unit for evaluation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008348 Manikins Inanimate physical models which bear likeness to human beings and are used for various purposes in place of humans. Mannequins,Manikin,Mannequin
D010372 Pediatrics A medical specialty concerned with maintaining health and providing medical care to children from birth to adolescence.
D004635 Emergency Medicine The branch of medicine concerned with the evaluation and initial treatment of urgent and emergent medical problems, such as those caused by accidents, trauma, sudden illness, poisoning, or disasters. Emergency medical care can be provided at the hospital or at sites outside the medical facility. Medicine, Emergency
D004636 Emergency Service, Hospital Hospital department responsible for the administration and provision of immediate medical or surgical care to the emergency patient. Emergency Outpatient Unit,Emergency Services Utilization,Hospital Emergency Room,Hospital Emergency Service,Hospital Emergency Services Utilization,Accident and Emergency Department,Emergency Departments,Emergency Hospital Service,Emergency Room,Emergency Units,Emergency Ward,Hospital Service Emergency,Service, Hospital Emergency,Department, Emergency,Departments, Emergency,Emergencies, Hospital Service,Emergency Department,Emergency Hospital Services,Emergency Outpatient Units,Emergency Room, Hospital,Emergency Rooms,Emergency Rooms, Hospital,Emergency Services, Hospital,Emergency Unit,Emergency Wards,Emergency, Hospital Service,Hospital Emergency Rooms,Hospital Emergency Services,Hospital Service Emergencies,Hospital Service, Emergency,Hospital Services, Emergency,Outpatient Unit, Emergency,Outpatient Units, Emergency,Room, Emergency,Room, Hospital Emergency,Rooms, Emergency,Rooms, Hospital Emergency,Service Emergencies, Hospital,Service Emergency, Hospital,Service, Emergency Hospital,Services Utilization, Emergency,Services Utilizations, Emergency,Services, Emergency Hospital,Services, Hospital Emergency,Unit, Emergency,Unit, Emergency Outpatient,Units, Emergency,Units, Emergency Outpatient,Utilization, Emergency Services,Ward, Emergency,Wards, Emergency
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000066908 Simulation Training A highly customized interactive medium or program that allows individuals to learn and practice real world activities in an accurate, realistic, safe and secure environment. Interactive Learning,Learning, Interactive,Training, Simulation
D000707 Anaphylaxis An acute hypersensitivity reaction due to exposure to a previously encountered ANTIGEN. The reaction may include rapidly progressing URTICARIA, respiratory distress, vascular collapse, systemic SHOCK, and death. Anaphylactic Reaction,Anaphylactoid Reaction,Anaphylactoid Shock,Shock, Anaphylactic,Anaphylactic Reactions,Anaphylactic Shock,Anaphylactoid Reactions,Reaction, Anaphylactic,Reaction, Anaphylactoid,Shock, Anaphylactoid

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