IPE Workshop: De-escalation Simulation Education to Improve Comfort and Confidence in Managing Patients with Mild Agitation

Thursday, March 20, 2025, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, CHOP, Philadelphia, PA

Pediatric residents at CHOP previously reported discomfort in responding to patients who are agitated. We now use a de-escalation simulation to teach interns to manage mild agitation and have shown an increase in comfort and confidence in managing de-escalation of patients with mild agitation over a 6-month period. A variety of skills have been employed that include environmental modification, non-verbal cues, and verbal communication. Clinically these skills were most often used by residents on General Pediatrics services with adolescent-aged patients but the skills learned have wide applicability across the hospital. In this workshop, participants will identify some of the signs and symptoms of agitation, consider prevention measures to reduce risk, and practice de-escalation skills using a simulated patient encounter. In experiencing our resident curriculum, attendees will review the resident education on this topic, identify how to potentially implement this training with other trainees and clinical providers, and be inspired to apply simulation training for other behavioral health concerns.  

1. Identify signs and symptoms of agitation and the contextual variables that lower agitation threshold in the hospital setting to increase preventative skills and early recognition to improve patient and provider safety.
2. Explain how a de-escalation simulation can improve resident comfort and confidence in managing patients with mild agitation over a six-month follow-up period during intern year.
3. Practice environmental, non-verbal, and verbal de-escalation skills using a rapid-cycle deliberate practice simulation.

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (1.50 hours), ANCC NCPD Contact Hours (1.50 hours), IPCE Credits (1.50 hours), Non-Physician AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ Attendance (includes PA, RT, RDMS) (1.50 hours)

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.