Simulation of Neutropenic Fever/Sepsis

Abstract

Abstract This resource is a simulation case featuring a patient who recently underwent a bone marrow transplant for acute leukemia and then developed neutropenic fever and rapidly evolving sepsis. The module is designed to instruct learners on how to identify the presenting signs of neutropenic fever, the initial management of neutropenic fever, the management of sepsis and septic shock, and the management of pulseless electrical activity arrest. Due to time constraints, the case progresses rapidly from a relatively stable patient to a code. However, this emphasizes the severity of sepsis, particularly in an immunocompromised patient. If personnel resources are available, the learner can also practice delivering bad news to a family member. Mannequin-based simulation cases are becoming much more common in the training of medical residents. Many of these focus on critical care or procedure-based scenarios. While this case is similar in that regard, it has the added element of having the learner deliver bad news to a family member. This communication training can be an additional piece of a curriculum on end-of-life care.

Keywords

• Septic Shock
• Sepsis
• Bad News
• ACLS
• Neutropenic Fever
• Neutropenia