Trauma Quality Improvement and Team Education: How Can We Better Optimize Our Training?

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe relationship between high quality healthcare and its impact on healthcare expenditures has led to a push towards higher-quality care while using fewer resources. Trauma in particular stands out, as both clinical skills and non-technical skills are emphasized in an effort to achieve the best outcomes. Education focused on improving teamwork and team communication is at the forefront of improving quality in trauma care.Recent FindingsWithin the past 15  years, the Trauma Quality Improvement (TQI) Program has utilized risk adjusted benchmarks to provide each enrolled center with accurate comparisons to the national average in a variety of quality-based patient outcomes. By using TQI Project data, facilities are able to determine specific outcome-d riven metrics. More recently, simulation has become a safe and effective learning method to improve both teamwork and communication in the setting of a trauma resuscitation. Simulation continues to become more high-fidelity and trauma education in particular, has seen the adoption of perfused cadave rs, virtual reality trainers, and hyper-realistic mannequins such as The Cut Suit®. In addition to simulation, trauma video review (TVR) has been used to evaluate both technical and non-technical skills of trauma resuscitations and more centers are beginning to start TVR programs as the value becom es clear.SummaryQuality improvement and team education are synonymous, especially when focusing on trauma resusci...
Source: Current Surgery Reports - Category: Surgery Source Type: research