Application of High-fidelity Simulation Training to the Neonatal Resuscitation and Pediatric Advanced Life Support Programs

Mounting evidence has pointed to communication and principles of teamwork to be the root of optimizing patient safety. This has prompted hospital administrators and leaders in health care to find ways to continuously monitor and improve these elements as part of ongoing quality assurance measures. Providing on-demand, realistic experiences far from patient risk, high-fidelity simulation (HFS) training has begun to emerge as a standard in health care education. HFS includes experiential learning aimed at acquisition and retention of knowledge, technical and behavioral skills, and the development of critical thinking. HFS is useful in training and reinforcement of knowledge, skills, and behaviors related to low-frequency, high-risk events that are part and parcel of caring for the critically ill child and neonate. This article provides an overview of HFS and its application in the education of pediatric health care providers in neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) and pediatric advance life support (PALS).