Characteristics of Real-Time, Non-Critical Incident Debriefing Practices in the Emergency Department (http://westjem.com/originalresearch/characteristics-of-real-time-noncritical-incident-debriefing-practices-inthe-emergency-department.html']html)

Introduction Bene ts of post-simulation debrie ngs as an educational and feedback tool have been widely accepted for nearly a decade. Real-time, non-critical incident debrie ng is similar to post-simulation debrie ng; however, data on its practice in academic emergency departments (ED), is limited. Although tools such as TeamSTEPPS r (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) suggest debrie ng after complicated medical situations, they do not teach debrie ng skills suited to this purpose. Anecdotal evidence suggests that real-time debrie ngs (or non-critical incident debrie ngs) do in fact occur in academic EDs;, however, limited research has been performed on this subject. The objective of this study was to characterize real-time, non-critical incident debrie ng practices in emergency medicine (EM). Methods We conducted this multicenter cross-sectional study of EM attendings and residents at four large, highvolume, academic EM residency programs in New York City. Questionnaire design was based on a Delphi panel and pilot testing with expert panel. We sought a convenience sample from a potential pool of approximately 300 physicians across the four sites with the goal of obtaining > 100 responses. The survey was sent electronically to the four residency list-serves with a total of six monthly completion reminder emails. We collected all data electronically and anonymously using SurveyMonkey. com; the data were then entered into and analyzed with Microsoft Excel. Results The data elucidate various characteristics of current real-time debrie ng trends in EM, including its de nition, perceived bene ts and barriers, as well as the variety of formats of debrie ngs currently being conducted. Conclusion This survey regarding the practice of real-time, non-critical incident debrie ngs in four major academic EM programs within New York City sheds light on three major, pertinent points: 1) real-time, non-critical incident debrie ng de nitely occurs in academic emergency practice; 2) in general, real-time debrie ng is perceived to be of some value with respect to education, systems and performance improvement; 3) although it is practiced by clinicians, most report no formal training in actual debrie ng techniques. Further study is needed to clarify actual bene ts of real-time/non-critical incident debrie ng as well as details on potential pitfalls of this practice and recommendations for best practices for use.