Management of simulated maternal cardiac arrest by residents: didactic teaching versus electronic learning.
OBJECTIVE
Successful resuscitation of a pregnant woman undergoing cardiac arrest and survival of the fetus require prompt, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The objective of this observational study was to assess management of maternal cardiac arrest by anesthesia residents using high-fidelity simulation and compare subsequent performance following either didactic teaching or electronic learning (e-learning).


METHODS
Twenty anesthesia residents were randomized to receive either didactic teaching (Didactic group, n = 10) or e-learning (Electronic group, n = 10) on maternal cardiac arrest. Baseline management skills were tested using high-fidelity simulation, with repeat simulation testing one month after their teaching intervention. The time from cardiac arrest to start of perimortem Cesarean delivery (PMCD) was measured, and the technical and nontechnical skills scores between the two teaching groups were compared.


RESULTS
The median [interquartile range] time to PMCD decreased after teaching, from 4.5 min [3.4 to 5.1 min] to 3.5 min [2.5 to 4.0 min] (P = 0.03), although the change within each group was not statistically significant (Didactic group 4.9 to 3.8 min, P = 0.2; Electronic group 3.9 to 2.5 min, P = 0.07; Didactic group vs Electronic group, P = 1.0). Even after teaching, only 65% of participants started PMCD within four minutes. Technical and nontechnical skills scores improved after teaching in both groups, and there were no differences between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
There are gaps in the knowledge and implementation of resuscitation protocols and the recommended modifications for pregnancy among residents. Teaching can improve performance during management of maternal cardiac arrest. Electronic learning and didactic teaching offer similar benefits.
Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Andrea
A
Hards
Sharon
S
Davies
Aliya
A
Salman
Magda
M
Erik-Soussi
Mrinalini
M
Balki
D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000379:methods; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors