Prospective Analysis of an Interprofessional Team Training Program Using High-Fidelity Simulation of Contrast Reactions

OBJECTIVE. Successful management of a contrast reaction requires prompt recognition and treatment and effective team dynamics among radiologists, technologists, and nurses. A radiology department implemented a simulation program in which teams of nurses, technologists, and physicians managed simulated contrast reactions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether simulation improved the participants' abilities to manage a contrast reaction and work in a team during an emergency. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Physicians, nurses, and technologists worked in interprofessional teams to manage two high-fidelity simulated adverse contrast reactions. Participants completed surveys before and after the simulation that included knowledge-based questions about the appropriate management of contrast reactions. Surveys also included questions for assessing participants' perceptions of their ability to manage adverse contrast reactions, measured with a 6-point Likert scale. Before and after comparisons were made with the McNemar test with a Bonferroni correction requiring p <= 0.003 for significance. For the other analyses, p <= 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS. After completion of the simulation exercises, participants had significant improvement in knowledge (p < 0.001). After the simulation, participants reported significant improvement in their ability to manage an anaphylactoid reaction and their ability to work in a team (p < 0.00001). Participants requested repeat simulation exercises every 6-12 months. CONCLUSION. Simulation exercises improved the self-reported ability of radiology personnel to manage contrast reactions and work in a team during an emergency. Simulation should be incorporated into future educational initiatives to improve patient safety in radiology practices.