A woman with known bipolar disorder becomes violent and threatens hospital staff with a knife. Team members will need to address the situation according to hospital policies and best practice guidelines.
This scenario is meant for hospital staff to practice running a code white in their facility. Designed with the Wilson Memorial General Hospital in mind, it includes policies at that hospital and broader guidelines. It should be modified or edited to suit your facility.
The woman presents to the hospital lobby yelling out her daughter's name and gets herself into the ER lobby. When a nuse greets her she is not able to be verbally de-escalated. When the physician arrives she escalates further swearing and threatening and pulls out a kitchen knife. She wants to be taken to her daughter. She is disheveled, highly agitated, and not able to be redirected. Staff will need to work with police to de-escalate the situation.
Ensure that you have coordinated with the police officers that will be attending the simulation beforehand, and that you are all on the same page in terms of expectations for one another and the procedures to be followed
Overall Goal: Manage a code white in your facility
Specific Learning Objectives:
Time Recommended: 60 minutes total (10 min Setup | 20min Scenario | 30min Debrief)
Patient Recommendation:
Medical Equipment:
Medications:
Role | Description (Role, Behaviour, Key Moments, Script) |
Aggravated patient |
You are a 39 year old bipolar woman with a daughter who is currently in your husband's custody. Your daughter was recently hospitalized for pneumonia and discharged a day or two later - she is currently in Thunder Bay visiting her grandma. You arrive at the hospital under the delusion that your daughter is still at the hospital and that the hospital is lying to you about where she is. You become increasingly agitated and violent as the scenario rolls on. Stage 1
Stage 2 - Physician enters
Stage 3 - Police Arrive
Stage 4 - You take the Nurse Hostage
|
Moulage: Minimal. Woman should look a little disheveled.
Set-Up: Minimal. Optionally, you can have one or two other patients in the ER that need to be cleared from the area during the simulation.
Note: While prepping for your simulation, don't forget to prep for the debrief. Become comfortable with your chosen framework, review your objectives. For additional debriefing resources, see our Resources page.
Credits:
Original Author: Eliseo Orrantia
Date: March 7 2023
A good prebriefing is an essential component of running effective simulations, as it sets the stage for everything that comes after it1-3. An effective prebrief will create a safe container for learning, and in doing so, help participants feel more comfortable pushing their limits, sharing their thoughts and feelings, and buying into the experience. In turn, this will enhance engagement, participation, and learning. To that end, the prebriefing process needs to cover a lot of information1-5, which can make it daunting to novice or non-expert facilitators. To help, we have consulted the relevant literature and put together a prebrief guide to ensure that you have the tools you need to run an effective pre-briefing session.
Throughout the pre-brief, it is important that you convey your commitment to respecting learners and their perspective2-4, and establish and maintain the simulation as a safe space for learning1,4,5.
Prebrief Guide (Sample Phrases in Italics)
Welcome learners. Introduce yourself, your role, and your experience with simulation.
Go over the time requirements for the simulation, when breaks will occur, how learners should handle incoming calls or texts, etc.
Clarify the learning objectives for the simulation1-5. Give information on the purpose of the simulation without giving out specific actions or information that might compromise the learning experience for participants.
Explain how participants will be evaluated (formative/summative/not evaluated). Briefly discuss the debrief process that will take place at the end of the simulation.
Give details on what expectations are for the learners' behaviour during the simulation, setting basic ground rules2-5. Go over expectations for yourself as the facilitator. Reinforce the simulation as a learning environment, where mistakes aren't something to be punished but opportunities for further learning.
This could be a good place to pause and ask learners if they have any additional expectations, fears, comments, or questions about the topic for the day.
Ensure all participants agree to the confidentiality expectations of the simulation. Often, this will follow the mantra of "What happens in the simulation stays in the simulation," where learners and instructors agree not to share information on others' performance or scenario details outside of the simulation environment.
Explain that you've done what you can to make the simulation as real as possible, but acknowledge the limitations. Ask the learner to commit to doing what they can to act as if everything was real, explaining that the quality of their learning will depend on their willingness to participate as fully as possible. For the first simulation with a new group, it could be helpful to explain the importance of a mutual fiction contract.
Explain the different roles in the simulation and assign learners to them. If you have predetermined scripts for certain roles, hand them out here.
Explain the resources that will be available for the participants to use, how they should call for help in the simulation, what your role will be in providing information.
Orient participants to simulation space, equipment, manikin, etc. This can also be done by allowing participants to explore the simulation space and manikin for themselves.
Ask for questions!
References
1. Rudolph JW, Raemer DB, Simon R. Establishing a safe container for learning in simulation: the role of the presimulation briefing. Simul Healthc. 2014 Dec;9(6):339-49. doi: 10.1097/SIH.0000000000000047. PMID: 25188485.
2. Leigh G, Steuben F. Setting Learners up for Success: Presimulation and Prebriefing Strategies. Teaching and Learning in Nursing. 2018; 13(3):185-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2018.03.004
3. Lecomte F, Jaffrelot M. Chapter 33 - Prebriefing and Briefing. Clinical Simulation. 2019; 2nd ed.; 471-482. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815657-5.00034-6.
4. INACSL Standards Committee (2016, December). INACSL standards of best practice: SimulationSM Facilitation. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 12(S), S16-S20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2016.09.007.
5. Simon R, Raemer D, Rudolph J. Rater's handbook for the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare (DASH) Rater Version. 2009. http://www.harvardmedsim.org/debriefing-assesment-simulation-healthcare.php.
It is 8am. A 39 year-old woman with known bipolar disorder presents to the hospital lobby yelling out her daughter's name and gets herself into the ER lobby. She has recently gone through a separation from her husband, who has been given custody of their 11 year-old daughter to this woman's inability to manage her mental illness. She is under the delusion that her daughter (who was recently hospitalized for pneumonia) is still being kept in hospital and that the hospital is lying to her. The daughter has actually been sent to visit her paternal grandmother in Thunder Bay to give her a bit of a rest and recuperation holiday and to get away from her unwell mother. The father has not let the mother know where the daughter is. She is angry, seems disheveled, and is not able to be redircted.
Further History:
Physical Exam | |
Cardio: | Neuro: |
Resp. | Head & Neck: |
Abdo: | MSK/Skin: |
Other: |
The previously described woman makes it into the ER and confronts the lone nurse at the nurse's desk. The ER is empty except for a mother and her 13 year-old son in the eye room who got a twig injury to his eye while ice fishing the previous evening. The ER physician is currently on their way to the hospital to start their shift
The woman is angry, and yelling out her daughter's name.
Expected Learner Actions | Modifiers | Triggers |
---|---|---|
Assess threat and identify risk level |
De-escalation attempted ⇒ No impact |
2-5 minutes ⇒ 2. Physician Arrives |
The physician arrives. The woman becomes much more agitated and pulls out a kitchen knife and begins threatening both the physician and nurse.
Expected Learner Actions | Modifiers | Triggers |
---|---|---|
Assess threat and ID situation as high risk |
Physician arrives ⇒ Woman becomes more agitated
|
Team leaves within 90s ⇒ 3, Police Arrive Team fails to leave in time ⇒ 4. Hostage |
The police arrive and take over the scene. All staff are gathered outside the ER doors, and no sounds can be heard from within. The patient is hiding in the trauma room behind the O2/vacuum stack.
The police eventually convince the woman to drop her weapon
Expected Learner Actions | Modifiers | Triggers |
---|---|---|
Organize staff to keep patient from exiting the ER |
Haloperidol/Ativan administered ⇒ No impact, patient remains agitated and alert
|
Team sedates and restrains patient ⇒ End and go to debrief |
The woman grabs the nurse by her hair/arm and pulls them towards her. She is threatening to cut the nurse if you do not bring her her daughter.
Expected Learner Actions | Modifiers | Triggers |
---|---|---|
Back off from physical confrontation |
|
Team administered physical and chemical restraints ⇒ End and go to debrief |
Choosing a Debrief Framework:
A good debrief has been identified in the literature as the most important part of a successful simulation experience. If you're a novice or inexperienced facilitator, use this table to help you choose which debrief framework you want to use, just tap the button on their name and you will be directed to the appropriate aids or scripts. While we recommend the PEARLS framework, take a look to see if there may be another that is a better fit for your situation.
|
|||||
Time |
Facilitator Level |
Prep Time |
Scenario Type |
Flexibility |
|
Moderate |
Novice |
Moderate |
Any |
High |
|
Short-Moderate |
Novice |
Low |
Short w/ Clear Objectives |
Low |
|
Moderate |
Novice |
Moderate |
Any, esp. Team-focused |
Moderate |
|
Very Short |
No experience |
None |
Any |
Low |
|
Short |
Novice |
Low |
Low number of non-technical skills |
Low |
|
Very Short |
No experience |
None |
Any |
Moderate |
|
Moderate-Long |
Novice |
Moderate |
Any |
Moderate |
(To learn more about this debriefing framework, visit our page on Debriefing resources)
If you need help with debriefing Crisis Resource Management skills, check out this infographic from Isaak & Stiegler: View Infographic
Phase |
Objective |
Task |
Sample Phrases |
||
1. Setting the Scene |
Create a safe context for learning |
State the goal of debriefing; articulate the basic assumption |
“Let’s spend X minutes debriefing. Our goal is to improve how we work together and care for our patients.” “Everyone here is intelligent and wants to improve”
|
||
2. Reactions |
Explore feelings |
Solicit initial reactions and emotions
|
“Any initial reactions?” “How are you feeling?” |
||
3. Description |
Clarify Facts |
Develop a shared understanding of the case |
“Can you please share a short summary of the case?” “What was the working diagnosis? Does everyone agree?”
|
||
4. Analysis |
Explore a variety of performance domains:
|
See bottom of guide for details on the analysis phase |
For each item to be debriefed: 1. Preview Statement: (to introduce topic)
2. Pick Analysis method + Analyze: (see below for more info on each method)
3. Mini Summary: (to summarize discussion of topic)
Phase Wrap-up: "Any outstanding issues or concerns before we start to close?" |
||
5. Application or Summary |
Identify take-aways |
Can be learner- or instructor-centered |
Learner-centered: “What are some takeaways from this discussion for our clinical practice?”
Instructor-centered: “The key learning points for the case were [insert learning points]”
|
||
Analysis Phase Details |
|||||
Choose an analysis approach (Different approaches can be used for different topics within the same analysis stage): |
|||||
Approach |
Objective |
Sample Phrases |
|||
Learner Self-Assessment
|
Promote reflection by asking learners to assess their own performance |
“What aspects were managed well and why?”
“What aspects do you want to change and why?”
|
|||
Focused Facilitation
|
Probe deeper on key aspects of performance, uncover mental frames guiding performance |
Use Advocacy-Inquiry Method Advocacy: "I saw [observation], I think [your point-of-view]” "I noticed [observation] I liked that/I was concerned..." Inquiry: “How do you see it? What were your thoughts at the time?” |
|||
Provide Information
|
Teach to close clear knowledge gaps as they emerge and provide directive feedback as needed |
“I noticed[behaviour]. Next time you may want to consider [suggested behaviour], because [rationale]” |
PDF from debrief2learn.org: Here
Visual Guide: debrief2learn.org
Alternative Script: Here
Originally Created by: Bajaj K, Meguerdichian M, Thoma B, Huang S, Eppich W, Cheng A. The PEARLS Healthcare Debriefing Tool. Acad Med. 2018, 93(2), 336.
(To learn more about this debriefing framework, visit our page on Debriefing resources)
If you need help with debriefing Crisis Resource Management skills, check out this infographic from Isaak & Stiegler: View Infographic
Phase |
Goal |
Actions |
Possible Scripts |
Gather (Listen)
25% |
|
|
How do you feel? |
|
How do you think it went? Can you tell me what happened? |
||
|
Can anyone add anything to that account? |
||
Analyze (Guide Reflection)
50% |
|
|
I noticed… |
|
I noticed…. What was the thought process behind…. When….happened, I saw….What do you think….. I saw…I think….How do you see it? |
||
|
Tell me more about… How did you feel about…. I understand, but tell me about X aspect of the scenario |
||
Summarize (Help gather Conclusions)
25%
|
|
|
What are two things that you thought were effective or went well? |
|
What do you think are some areas you/your team need to work on? |
||
|
In today’s session, we…. Going forward, we should…. |
References/Adapted From:
(To learn more about this debriefing framework, visit our page on Debriefing resources)
If you need help with debriefing Crisis Resource Management skills, check out this infographic from Isaak & Stiegler: View Infographic
Instructions:
Actions |
Gather |
Analyze |
Summarize |
Closed-loop communication
Clear Messages
Clear Roles
Knowing one’s limitations
Knowledge Sharing
Constructive Intervention
Reevaluation and Summarizing
Mutual Respect
|
Student Observations
Instructor Observations
|
Done Well
Needs Improvement
|
Student-led Summary
Instructor-led Summary
|
References/Adapted from:
(To learn more about this debriefing framework, visit our page on Debriefing resources)
If you need help with debriefing Crisis Resource Management skills, check out this infographic from Isaak & Stiegler: View Infographic
|
Set learning objectives |
After Case |
How did it go? Address Concerns Review learning points Plan ahead |
Framework from:
(To learn more about this debriefing framework, visit our page on Debriefing resources)
If you need help with debriefing Crisis Resource Management skills, check out this infographic from Isaak & Stiegler: View Infographic
Diamond Debrief: Sample Phrases |
Description |
“So what happened?...and then what happened next?”
Continue asking until confident that the details of the scenario have been raised by the learners
“Let’s not judge our performance now, let’s just focus on what happened” |
Transition |
“This scenario was designed to show…”
“Let’s address technical and clinical questions. What is the protocol for…?”
“How do we normally deal with this clinical situation?”
“Everyone ok with that?” |
Analysis |
“How did that make you feel?” To participants, then group “Why?” Then use silence
“How did you/they do that exactly?” “Why did you respond in that way? “ or “Why did you take that action?”
“It feels like…was an issue. Did it feel like that to you?” What I’m hearing from you is…is that correct?”
“This is part of…” (identify the non-technical skill/human factor) “We refer to that as a human factor or non-technical skill, which means…” |
Transition |
“So, what we’ve talked about in this scenario is…” “What have we agreed we could do?” |
Application |
“What other kinds of situations might you face that might be similar? How are they similar?”
“How might these skills we discussed play out in those situations?”
“What are you going to do differently in your practice going forward?” |
Underlying Principles |
Description |
Reinforce a safe learning environment. Situate the debrief in the shared and meaningful activity that occurred. Keep the focus dispassionate—discuss what happened but avoid focus on emotions. Listen for emotional responses but resist the temptation to discuss emotions. Make sure everyone shares the same understanding of what happened.
|
Transition |
Transition into analysis by clarifying any technical and clinical issues |
Analysis |
Spend most of your time in Analysis. Deconstruct behaviours into specific actions, and explore what happened in detail. Ask about affective responses and validate them. Analyze and interpret the activity by applying appropriate frameworks or lenses (such as non-technical skills, or the clinical context surrounding the scenario). Keep discussion positive, and avoid the temptation to focus on “strengths and weaknesses”. Reflect responses back, allowing participants to amend or augment. |
Transition |
Transition into Application by reinforcing learning. |
Application |
Focus on moving from the specifics of the scenario to the more general world of practice. Break behaviours down into specific actions. Explore the other kinds of situations that these might apply to. Ask what participants will do differently in their practice. |
Adapted From: Jaye P, Thomas L, Reedy G (2015). 'The Diamond': a structure for simulation debrief. The Clinical Teacher 12(1). 171-175. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/tct.12300
If you need help with debriefing Crisis Resource Management skills, check out this infographic from Isaak & Stiegler: View Infographic
Pluses:
Deltas:
Plus (+) |
Delta (∆) |
References:
((To learn more about this debriefing framework, visit our page on Debriefing resources)
If you need help with debriefing Crisis Resource Management skills, check out this infographic from Isaak & Stiegler: View Infographic
Phase |
Purpose |
Process |
Sample Phrases |
Reactions |
|
|
How are you feeling? What are some initial reactions to what just happened? So, in that scenario… |
Analysis |
|
1. Observe an event or result. Comment on the observation.
2. Advocate for your position |
I saw that… I think… I noticed that…To me…
I saw…I’m concerned that… |
3. Investigate basis for learner’s thinking that led to the observed event or result |
What do you think? Why do you think that happened? How do you see it? What was the thought process behind….? |
||
4. Close the gap through discussion and didactics |
I hear…. What would it take for you to do this next time? How could we do this differently next time? I think a few good ideas that came up were… I’d like to say a little bit about…from my experience/literature |
||
Summary |
|
|
What are some takeaways from today? What went well today? What would you do differently next time?
In today’s session, we…. Going forward, we should… |
Adapted from:
CODE WHITE SITUATION In a Code White situation the roles and responsibilities of all staff involved are as follows:
1. Staff Initiating the Call - Staff involved in situation or first staff member to come upon the scene:
• Identify that a situation exists requiring immediate assistance.
• Ensure own and co-worker safety (e.g. need to leave area until sufficient resources are available to restrain or remove an aggressive individual).
• Follow procedure outlined by the organization for summoning assistance.
• Direct other staff as necessary to reduce stimulation in the area (removing all clients, visitors from area, reducing noise levels by turning off radios/tvs, vacuum cleaners, etc.).
• Have client’s record or chart available if possible.
• Provide information to the Code White Team Leader about the situation, action taken and action required.
• In the event medication is to be administered ensure medication orders have been received, medication has been prepared and is ready.
• In the event the client is to be placed in seclusion, ensure the room is ready to receive the individual.
• Prepare restraints if necessary.
• In the event that additional help is required (e.g. Police) ensure that the call has been placed and that help is on the way.
• Assist Team as directed by Team Leader.
2. The Code White Team: Roles and responsibilities assigned to each team member will vary depending on the team size, skills of each member, the needs of the client and the location of the crisis.
TEAM LEADER ( Team Leader selected as per organization’s protocols for designation of Team Leader):
• Assesses the situation. • Calls for additional resources if required (e.g. Police).
• Acts as the spokesperson for the team and the ONLY PERSON TALKING unless a spokesperson is delegated by Team Leader. guidelines: code white response.
• Obtains information about the situation from the staff and what is expected of the team: i. reason for Code White call ii. details of current situation iii. name of acting out client iv. history of past incidents if appropriate and interventions that have worked in past v. any pertinent medical information vi. mental status vii. intervention needed (e.g. medication, removal to seclusion, etc) vii. location of client ix. additional information that may be pertinent (could include pertinent medical/nursing orders, committal status)
• Develops intervention plan to ensure enough resources are available to safely carry out plan.
• Identifies team members (confirms all have been trained).
• Informs and directs team members about the plan of action, including approach to be used, type of intervention and how each member will exit from room.
• Ensures safety of team by having all team members remove items such as watches, glasses if not safety glasses, pens, ties, pagers, scissors, stethoscopes or name tags, etc.
• Ensures personal protection equipment (PPE) such as gloves are available for team use.
• Assigns team members to specific tasks/positions.
• Ensures all members including staff are ready before taking action (medication is ready, room is prepared, etc).
• Communicates with acting out individual.
• Directs intervention plan to completion (may administer, if appropriate, or delegate medication administration).
• Ensures defusing/debriefi ng takes place as soon as possible following the incident and that staff know about and are able to access all available support if necessary (including CISM).
• If an injury occurs to a team member ensures member seeks proper first aid.
• Ensures appropriate documentation is completed as per organization’s protocols.
TEAM MEMBERS: Team responds in a co-ordinated manner under the direction of the Team Leader and
• follows instructions of Team Leader.
• understands intervention plan.
• remembers that the Team Leader is the only person speaking at the time of interaction with the client.
• carrries out tasks assigned by Team Leader and any other additional tasks as needed such as: i. crowd control ii. clearing area of hazardous objects iii. supporting other team members iv. preparing restraints
• informs Team Leader if unable to perform assigned task (e.g. if recently injured and unable to take a restraining position).
• removes personal items which could be damaged or cause injury.
• listens for “cue to action” and move in on signal or if escalation occurs.
• immobilizes limbs as directed.
• secures client until instructed by Team Leader to release him.
• assists in escorting client or with restraining or applying restraints such as four point restraints.
• reports any injuries sustained during procedure.
• assists with documentation as necessary.
• participates in debriefing.