Designing Interprofessional Simulation Outreach Experiences for Maternal Deserts

Abstract

Rural hospitals providing obstetric care are expected to maintain a broad variety of knowledge, skills, and abilities with low volume of occurrences, yet have limited access to continuing education and hands-on experience for high-risk situations. Women and their families experience healthcare disparities for adequate obstetrical care due to maternal deserts. To overcome these disparities, the interdisciplinary Perinatal Simulation Outreach Team (PSOT) has utilized in situ simulation to provide rural hospitals with continuing education opportunities since 2018 to reduce perinatal mortality rates, decrease maternal health disparities, and improve the quality of birth experiences. The criteria of the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice™ Simulation Design is used as a blueprint for PSOT program development. Program evaluations show in situ is a valuable learning experience that has enhanced teamwork and provided continuing education to make evidence-based practice changes for quality, safe patient care.