UC Davis

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly transmissible disease that can be easily spread by the aerosolization of respiratory droplets during resuscitation (Chan et al., 2020; DeFilippis et al., 2020; McIsaac et al., 2020; Phillips et al., 2020). CPR and endotracheal intubation are aerosolizing procedures that transmit the viral particles to providers if personal protective equipment (PPE) is not properly worn (DeFelippis et al., 2020). Simulation training is a tool that can assist the medical team to don proper PPE and practice CPR and endotracheal intubation in situ, or in an environment that closely replicates the clinical setting (Choi et al., 2020). The purpose of this applied project was to create Enhanced CPR Safety Mock Code Training simulations to prioritize the safety of the healthcare workers and reduce viral transmission while practicing resuscitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing the National League for Nursing (NLN) Jeffries Simulation Framework, Enhanced CPR Safety Mock Code Training in situ simulations were created to prioritize staff safety while resuscitating COVID-19 patients. The setting was at one of Sacramento’s 500-bed tertiary hospitals, and simulations were held in situ in all in-patient units, five days a week for three weeks. Post-training surveys were emailed two weeks later. Eighty-four percent of staff felt the simulations were extremely or very relevant, 75% felt the objectives were extremely or very clear, and 70% felt very or somewhat comfortable participating in a Code Blue after mock code safety training. Enhanced CPR Safety Mock Code Training simulations gave opportunities for participants to practice teamwork, understand roles, and communicate through a closed door to keep the staff safe while resuscitating a COVID-19 patient. Keywords: Code Blue, in situ simulations, mock code training, COVID-19, CPR, PPE, resuscitations, coronavirus, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, protected Code Blue, cardiac arrest