Background/Introduction:
Aggression is the most frequent incident occurring in Liverpool Emergency leading to code blacks which result in staff and patient harm. There were breakdowns in communication between teams, especially security and ED staff during these critical incidents.
Aim/Purpose:
Code black simulations were introduced aiming to enhance teamwork and collaboration between members of the multidisciplinary team when a code black is called in the ED therefore reducing the impact of aggressive incidents on staff and patients.
Methods/Intervention/Activity:
Real patient scenarios were utilised and the multidisciplinary team responded with educational debriefing conducted post. Pre and post implementation surveys were completed by all disciplines involved.
Results/Outcome:
It was evident that there were many issues occurring during code black scenarios pre implementation of the simulations. Post implementation there were convincing results showing that staff felt that roles were more clearly adhered to and identifiable, communication and teamwork had improved, staff felt more comfortable activating a code black and also safer during a code black incident.
Conclusion/Recommendations:
Code black simulations are now run regularly as part of continuing education and is showing to continue to improve staff knowledge, improve teamwork and communication between teams and has improved with staff feeling more supported in these critical incidents.