In 1997, the Institute of Medicine reported that between 48,000 to 98,000 people die in the US hospital due to preventable medical errors. Additionally, The Joint Commission reported that 65% of medical errors are due to failure in communication. Medical errors have impacted society because patients were harmed, with greater impact on the patient’s families. Similarly, medical errors have impacted health care providers due to litigations, loss of status, loss of income, and potential loss of licensure. Simulations emerged as responses to rectify individual, organizational, and systems failures that resulted in patient harm. From ethical standpoint, the use of simulations conveys critical educational message: patients are to be protected whenever possible. They are not commodities to be used as conveniences of training. Simulations focus on improved communications, improved clinician’s knowledge and skills in a controlled, risk-free environment. Simulation is an effective tool in promoting a culture that encourages identification of risks to medical errors in a non-punitive, risk-free environment. High risk obstetric patients present challenges to the healthcare providers. Obstetric-related claims often represent high severity in terms of both injury and payouts. The average insurance payout ranges from $1.2 to $10 million. Researchers have shown that onsite simulations demonstrated a positive impact on obstetrical patient safety. These obstetric drills resulted in improved quality of care. The purpose of this capstone project was to demonstrate that simulations in a labor and delivery unit in a community hospital can improve perinatal patient safety in a cost-effective manner through improved teamwork, improved communication and improved skills and knowledge.
