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$125,000 Award

Project Overview

Very high-acuity patients are at risk for deterioration, but delays in recognition, poorly coordinated responses, and ineffective communication may lead to further

deterioration and cardiac arrest, as well as stress in team members. The goal of this project is to utilize a novel combination of a game-based application and full-scale, high-fidelity simulation training to improve the inter-professional bedside teams’ identification of subtle changes in patients’ conditions, critical thinking to improve the response to deteriorating patients, and collaboration with the Rapid Response Team. The anticipated outcomes would be decreases in the number of ICU transfers and cardiac arrests plus a decrease in burnout and improvement in work satisfaction among Rapid Response Team and floor team members.

Project Team

  • Samuel A. Tisherman, MD, FACS, Surgery
  • Nicholas Morris, MD, Neurology
  • Maureen Archibald, MS, RN, Clinical Practice and Professional Development
  • Sai Ho Jason Chui, PharmD, BCPS, Pharmacy
  • Mojdeh Heavner, PharmD, BCPS, Pharmacy Practice and Science
  • Benjamin Neustein, MAT, Paramedic, Critical Care and Trauma Education
  • Robin Price MSN, RN, Clinical Practice and Professional Development
  • Kathleen To, MD, FACS, Surgery
  • Shawn Craft, RRT, Respiratory

June 2022 Updates

We have created the gaming app with Grendel Games and set up a survey for the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). For the in-situ simulation, we have the equipment we need and have developed the scenario.

Our plan is to begin the roll out of the MBI and the gaming app in July.

Project Outcomes

Red home screen of the Distress game app

The team successfully developed an innovative game called “Distress!”. The game, in conjunction with a mannequin, simulates responses to coding patients.

The team trained several units on the use of the game and response, leading to improved patient care outcomes. Of the trained clinicians, many commented that they now feel more comfortable calling for help and escalating early, communicating more clearly, and questioning requests from providers. Overall, they conveyed confidence in responding to these situations as a result of the Distress! game.

The game can be downloaded and played by anyone, found in mobile App stores as Distress!, as well as by following this link: https://distressthegame.com/login

Blue circles showing that if 82 players get 4 turns per player that equals 333 games of Distress played.

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