Uso de la simulación por enfermería en las unidades de cuidados intensivos: revisión sistemática.

Introduction: In the intensive care unit, patient safety incidents reach critical levels of 70.0%, and the use of simulators is considered a fundamental tool for improving both technical (interventions) and non-technical (e.g., communication) skills, while safeguarding patient safety. Objective: To analyze the impact and experiences of using clinical simulation in the development of technical and non-technical skills of nursing staff in intensive care units. Methodology: An integrative systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, consulting databases such as PubMed and Scopus, among others, from 2021 to 2026. Twenty studies were selected and evaluated using the MMAT tool and the Johns Hopkins Model. Results: Simulation increased practical knowledge, with improvements of up to 30.6% in mechanical ventilation and greater adherence to preventive protocols. Non-technical skills such as crisis leadership and effective communication were also strengthened using the I-SBAR model. Barriers such as staff shortages and ambient alarm noise were described. Conclusions: Clinical simulation acted as an essential pedagogical bridge to mitigate “reality shock” and ensure the safety of critically ill patients. Standardizing debriefing structures and transitioning to objective assessments such as OSCE is recommended to ensure competency retention in critical care.