HEARTRATE VARIABILITY IN A CRICOTHYROTOMY PROCEDURE

Dr. Sergel

A longitudinal study, evaluating heart rate variability changes throughout residency years of training while performing a cricothyrotomy by EM residents.  Heart rate variability studies are used in military stress-induced studies but have not yet been utilized in civilian studies to determine ability to adapt to stress inoculation and cognitive overload.

Combining multiple procedures, teamwork, and problem-solving, an original Escape Room was created by the Simulation Fellows (Hoffman/Mannix) for the resident classes to practice their skills and to facilitate wellness. Fall 2017 featured a Halloween-themed event. A big hit with the residents, the Escape Room is again planned for 2019.

A successful combination of multiple-task training and team-building exercises into a singular, timely, and entertaining activity is a difficult achievement. Welcome to Simulation Olympics! A nine-station relay course, with team competition designed to encourage teamwork and troubleshooting of difficult procedures.

Revamping the PGY2 resuscitation course evaluations, Dr. Mannix endeavored to determine the validity of milestone assessments vs. faculty gestalt for residency evaluations. The most important milestones for PGY2s were determined from a wide poll of ED Attendings, and using this list, the milestone assessment was compared to attending gestalt impressions using a traditional grade scale.

Using a "Choose Your Own Adventure" model, and featuring a point-of-view video perspective, this new medium aims to be a new way to teach Sim, by bringing the Simulation lab to the user. Specific branch points are designed to teach concepts of resuscitation.

Residency is a time to learn, but busy ED shifts can often minimize teaching opportunities. After writing a curriculum of short 10-minute topic presentations, Dr. Hoffman established a time at the end of ED sign out/morning report on weekdays for ED Attendings to teach high yield topics with daily education points.