Tactics for hemorrhagic shock: A virtual course and visual aid for improved resuscitation

BACKGROUND Our trauma performance improvement initiative recognized missed treatment opportunities for patients undergoing massive transfusion. To improve patient care, we developed a novel cognitive aid in the form of a poster entitled “TACTICS for Hemorrhagic Shock.” We hypothesized that this reference and corresponding course would improve the performance of trauma leaders caring for simulated patients requiring massive transfusion. METHODS First, residents and physician assistants participated in a one-on-one, socially distanced, screen-based virtual patient simulation. Next, they watched a short presentation introducing the TACTICS visual aid. They then underwent a similar second virtual simulation during which they had access to the reference. In both simulations, the participants were assessed using a scoring system developed to measure their ability to provide appropriate predetermined interventions while leading a trauma resuscitation (score range, 0–100%). Preintervention and postintervention scores were compared using a one-group pre-post within-subject design. Participants' feedback was obtained anonymously. RESULTS Thirty-two participants (21 residents and 11 physician assistants) completed the course. The median score for the first simulation without the use of the visual aid was 43.8% (interquartile range, 33.3.8–61.5%). Commonly missed treatments included giving tranexamic acid (success rate, 37.5%), treating hypothermia (31.3%), and ...
Source: The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: AAST POSTER 2021 Source Type: research