Advanced Pain Life Support (APLS) Simulation Training for Interventional Pain Physicians

Abstract

Educational interventions including pre- and post-tests, didactic lectures, and simulation/learner feedback increase the interventional pain physician's knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to responding appropriately to emergent complications occurring during procedures. These complications have occurred during neuraxial interventions on the head, neck and spine. All physicians performing these types of specialized procedures would benefit from this training in challenging situations using a team approach, active thinking and timely feedback during simulation of catastrophic scenarios. Improved outcomes compared to historical data would indicate improved patient safety as a result. The premises for this type of training are the ACLS guidelines first published in 1974 that have saved untold numbers of lives and certification in this training is an almost universal requirement for all health care providers. Pre- and post-test data comparisons identify the effectiveness of this training. Introduction and universal adaptation of APLS as a national requirement for both the chronic pain practitioner and facility certification will promote an environment of patient safety and reduce procedure related complications. - See more at: https://www.mededportal.org/publication/9240#sthash.ZLTyjtIA.dpuf