PP30 Pioneering education in a pandemic – a rapid response unit approach

Our challenge was to establish and deliver a novel, rapid, multipronged approach to educating a multi-disciplinary group of health care professionals, in the face of the Covid 19 outbreak. This was tailored to our district general hospital where we implemented a responsive, multimodal programme of education incorporating simulation to disseminate current information approved by national bodies in order to enhance team working. The first multidisciplinary teaching team comprised anaesthetic and critical care staff. Over 48 hours, a 5 week teaching programme was developed sourcing material from a national critical care course1 incorporating lectures, practical workshops and multidisciplinary simulation aimed at all health professionals in the anaesthesia directorate. We addressed key concerns and potential service pitfalls before widening our scope to include in situ simulation in theatres and the obstetric delivery suite. We subsequently adapted our course material for non-anaesthetic health professionals, and conducted simultaneous nurse upskilling sessions to enhance critical care nursing cover. The second teaching unit led by the acute medical team and resuscitation department aimed to rapidly facilitate training in modified Advanced Life Support (ALS) practice. A new Trust policy informed by Public Health England and the World Health Organisation was instituted, before the latest Resuscitation Council Guidance was released.2 3 In situ teaching was instituted on all wards highlighting key changes and the importance of PPE. These ad hoc sessions aimed to rapidly upskill multidisciplinary team members and also offered the chance to practice systematic assessment of sick patients. Rapid feedback and peer review allowed dynamic configuration of teaching, enabling us to address questions and issues arising from the teaching via weekly hospital wide updates, disseminating the latest recommendations and peer reviewed evidence. Almost all 151 attendees to refresher sessions reported a significantly increased knowledge base post session. All 120 multidisciplinary staff attending upskilling prior to redeployment to critical care, reported increased knowledge post attendance. All 191 multidisciplinary candidates attending dedicated teaching days incorporating lectures, simulated PPE and proning practice reported an appropriate level of delivery, with all 52 multidisciplinary simulation candidates reporting 100% satisfaction. All 40 staff attending ALS simulations and sick patient assessment sessions felt training was relevant to their scope of practice, and fulfilled their needs. Staff confidence, education and team working across an organisation can be rapidly enhanced when confronted by a challenge as evidenced by our efforts, and doing so establishes strong foundations for future lear. References The Critical CARE Course®, Troth L, Kocierz L, Burtenshaw A, Hulme J. 2020. Covid-19 Technical Specifications for Personal Protective Equipment and related IPC Supplies. World Health Organisation serial editions Feb - April 2020 (latest edition Aug 2020). COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Public Health England serial editions Feb – April 2020 (latest edition Aug 2020).