Simulation-based training: the missing link to lastingly improved patient safety and health? (Postgraduate Medical Journal)

Introduction Patient harm resulting from medical care is common, with 25.1 harms per 100 hospital admissions and 10.9% of harms being life threatening and causing or contributing to a patient`s death.1 One study found at least 210 000 deaths of hospitalised patients to be associated with preventable harm per year.2 Factors contributing most frequently to patient safety incidents are active failures including cognitive and technical errors as well as deviations from policies, individual factors (eg, inexperience and stress), communication, equipment and supplies, and management of staff and staffing levels.3 As factors contributing to safety incidents are manifold, a multitude of strategies—involving the continuum from individuals to healthcare systems—has to be considered when aiming at improving the quality of healthcare and patient safety. A strategy certainly at the forefront of this process is active improvement of quality and effectiveness in medical education and training.