TY - JOUR T1 - USe of simulation-based education to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections AU - Barsuk JH, Cohen ER, Feinglass J, McGaghie WC, Wayne DB Y1 - 2009/08/10 N1 - 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.215 JO - Archives of Internal Medicine SP - 1420 EP - 1423 VL - 169 IS - 15 N2 - Background  Simulation-based education improves procedural competence in central venous catheter (CVC) insertion. The effect of simulation-based education in CVC insertion on the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine if simulation-based training in CVC insertion reduces CRBSI.Methods  This was an observational education cohort study set in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) in an urban teaching hospital. Ninety-two internal medicine and emergency medicine residents completed a simulation-based mastery learning program in CVC insertion skills. Rates of CRBSI from CVCs inserted by residents in the ICU before and after the simulation-based educational intervention were compared over a 32-month period.Results  There were fewer CRBSIs after the simulator-trained residents entered the intervention ICU (0.50 infections per 1000 catheter-days) compared with both the same unit prior to the intervention (3.20 per 1000 catheter-days) (P = .001) and with another ICU in the same hospital throughout the study period (5.03 per 1000 catheter-days) (P = .001).Conclusions  An educational intervention in CVC insertion significantly improved patient outcomes. Simulation-based education is a valuable adjunct in residency education. SN - 0003-9926 M3 - doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.215 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2009.215 ER -