Respiratory Distress: An Escape Room Simulation Case for Pediatric Care Providers

Escape room simulation has been proven to be an effective educational tool in adult medicine, but research on its use in pediatrics is lacking. Both escape room simulation and pediatric resuscitation require effective communication and critical thinking. Merging these two concepts can provide a novel way to teach trainees. We designed an escape room case to teach concepts of basic life support (BLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS) using a common pediatric presentation of respiratory distress leading to respiratory failure. Learners were required to use the skills and concepts from BLS and PALS as well as hospital resources to solve puzzles in the escape room. These puzzles were reflective of the team's ability to recognize and treat the patient's condition. In order to successfully escape the room, all puzzles needed to be solved in a timely manner. Learners were then surveyed on their experiences. Participants reported the simulation provided a valuable learning experience and supportive learning environment. They also endorsed an increase in medical knowledge and improvement of communication skills. Finally, escape room simulations were reported to be more engaging than typical mock codes.