Are there any simulation resources to practice transfering suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients to and from operating rooms? 

Posted on April 12, 2020 by Tomas Rapaport

Summary

We were not able to find this specific simulation after a brief review of the literature and existing free simulation repositories, however; there are certain resources that may be useful summarized below:

I.   The Alberta Health Services Protocol (1)

  • Patients should bypass the holding area and be transported via a predetermined route directly into a designated COVID-19 operating room

  • The entire way to the operating room should be cleared by a team member prior to entry of the patient to a given space
  • Staff should wear appropriate PPE for any interaction with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient at all times
    • Non ventilated patient: gloves, gown, surgical mask, eye/face protections
    • Ventilated patient: gloves, gown, N95 (in case the patient is accidentally disconnected from ventilator during transport), eye/face protection
  • Non ventilated patients should wear a mask during transport

II.   Simulation Canada has created a FREE repository of simulation scenarios and resources to test and prepare providers for encounters with SARS-COV-2 positive patients (2)

  • They include Operating Room, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Critical Care & Ventilators, as well as general educational videos

See all at: https://www.sim-one.ca/community/news/covid-19-simulations

Questions? Comments? Does this need to be updated? Do you have valuable points to add ? Please email ask.reakt@ubc.ca.

References

  1. Alberta Health Services. FAQs for PPE in OR and Surgical Services [Internet]. 2020 Apr. Available from: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/ppih/if-ppih-surgical-services-ppe-faq.pdf 
  2. COVID-19 Simulations | Simulation Canada [Internet]. Sim-one.ca. 2020 [cited 2020 Apr 12]. Available from: https://www.sim-one.ca/community/news/covid-19-simulations

Disclaimer

The above is intended to serve as a rapidly-created, accessible source of information curated by medical students and healthcare professionals. It is for educational purposes only and is not a complete reference resource. It is not professional medical advice, and is not a substitute for the discretion, judgment, and duties of healthcare professionals. You are solely responsible for evaluating the information above.