Even though it's a simulation, staff anxiety will likely skyrocket
because you're measuring your team's performance in a life-or-death sit-
uation. Stress that simulation is not a competition. All you want your
staff to do is beat their performance in the next code drill. The idea is to
grow and get better.
Time to debrief — and learn
Learning occurs in the debriefing phase soon after the simulation
drills. In order to provide formative feedback and reinforce positive
behaviors, assure participants before the debriefing that they are in
a psychologically safe space. Start the debriefing session by stating:
"What happened here, stays here — we are in a protected environ-
ment, not a competition. We believe everyone here is intelligent,
professional and wants to improve their collective performance."
OSM
Dr. Kost (kostmike@einstein.edu) is the director of healthcare simulation at
the Einstein Healthcare Network. He's also the director of the Frank J.
Tornetta School of Anesthesia at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery and a
clinical associate professor at La Salle University School of Nursing and
Health Sciences in Philadelphia, Pa.
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 5
