Setup and Execution Of the Blindfolded Code Training Exercise
Summary
The blindfolded code training exercise, which blindfolds the team leader in a code resuscitation simulation, is an advanced teaching technique to improve closed-loop communication, organizational skills, and critical thinking.
Abstract
Miscommunication is the most common cause of preventable patient harm in medicine. Currently, there is limited knowledge of innovative techniques to improve resident physician communication and leadership strategies in high-acuity situations. The blindfolded code training exercise removes visual stimuli from the team leader, forcing the team leader to effectively utilize closed-loop communication. The simple act of blindfolding the team leader creates a learning environment where the leader must utilize a conceptual framework and critical thinking strategies to organize the team and manage the resuscitation. An advantage to this teaching technique is that it does not require any special simulation equipment, making it a low-cost approach. The blindfolded code training exercise can be applied to the management of any critically ill patient where the primary objective is to focus on developing communication skills in acute resuscitations. The purpose of the description of the blindfolded code training exercise is to provide guidance on how to perform this innovative teaching technique to force effective closed-loop communication.
Introduction
The blindfolded code training exercise was developed to improve closed-loop communication, the utilization of a conceptual framework to organize the management of a resuscitation, and critical thinking skills. Previous scholars reported that communication, role clarity, and teamwork were enhanced by blindfolding physicians during simulated resuscitations1. Resident physicians, especially in critical care specialties, are frequently placed in high-acuity situations. In order to appropriately manage these high-risk cases, resident physicians require training in both leadership strategies and communication in high-risk environments2,3. Simulation is commonly used and is effective in teaching crisis resource management principles and communication skills4.
Currently, there is limited knowledge of innovative techniques to improve resident physician communication and leadership strategies in high-acuity situations. Ineffective communication may continue despite correct management and leadership observed in the simulation lab. A previous study highlights that the blindfolded code training exercise, when compared to typical code training, is more challenging and forces learners to use critical thinking skills and closed-loop communication. Learners felt the exercise solidified leadership skills and challenged them to maintain mental organization without visual cues5.
In preparation for the blindfolded code training exercise, the faculty provides a demonstration explaining how this advanced approach is performed, to decrease learner intimidation by the exercise. Once the demonstration is finished, the team leader is blindfolded. The team leader must use closed-loop communication and give explicit orders to the resuscitation team with a request to have all orders repeated back. The team cannot independently initiate any procedure or management without clear direction from the team leader. Team members can only execute orders from the team leader that are explicitly directed to them by name. If the team leader does not identify a specific person to perform the action, it is not performed. For example, if the team leader states, “Start compressions” without directing it to a specific team member, the order is not completed. All members of the team stand motionless. If a team member is given an order by the leader but is not requested to repeat the order as confirmation, the order can be executed but the team leader is not given verbal feedback at the completion of the order. This should prompt the team leader to ask that subsequent orders are to be repeated back, as the leader does not have visual stimuli to confirm order completion.
If the team leader asks team members to repeat the orders back, team members must reply to the team leader using closed-loop communication. This alerts the team leader when the order is received and completed. For example, if team leader Dr. Jones asks John to “Give 1 mg of epinephrine intravenously”, John will reply “I will get 1 mg of epinephrine. Dr. Jones, 1 mg of epinephrine has been administered intravenously”. The team leader can ask questions about the monitor. However, team members can only describe the appearance of the cardiac rhythm in layman’s terms (Table 1). For example, ventricular tachycardia would be described as a wide complex regular rhythm at the rate displayed on the monitor. Team members cannot use medical terms when describing the cardiac monitor, such as ventricular tachycardia or pulseless electrical activity. Lastly, faculty will verbally clarify all physical exam findings if the code team leader directs a team member to perform a physical exam.
By removing visual stimuli, the blindfolded code training exercise forces the team leader to maintain mental organization and use closed-loop communication to effectively manage a resuscitation. The purpose of the description of the blindfolded code training exercise is to provide guidance on how to perform this innovative teaching technique to force closed-loop communication.
Protocol
Representative Results
Discussion
The blindfolded code exercise consists of several critical steps. First, the exercise requires an initial faculty demonstration to decrease the learners’ intimidation and anxiety toward performing a resuscitation blindfolded. It also serves to give learners an example of a successful performance of the blindfolded resuscitation. Facing the code team leader away from the resuscitation team ensures that the leader is unable to visualize the scenario and forces them to give loud, clear orders (Fig…
Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Acknowledgements
The authors have no acknowledgments.
Materials
| Bag valve mask | |||
| Blindfold | |||
| Blood pressure cuff | |||
| Cardiac monitor | |||
| Chair | |||
| Code Cart | ACLS medications | ||
| Defibrillator with pads | |||
| Emergency department bed | |||
| End-tidal carbon dioxde monitor | |||
| Human-patient simulator | |||
| Intubation Kit | endotracheal tube, laryngoscope, stylet, 10 mL syringe, endotracheal tube holder | ||
| IV fluids | 1 L normal saline or lactated ringer's | ||
| IV start kit | tourniquet, tape, tegaderm, IV catheter | ||
| Nasal cannula | |||
| Non-rebreather mask | |||
| Pulse oximeter | |||
| Step stool | |||
| Stethoscope |
References
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