{
  "abstract": "Context Simulation-based education is a cornerstone of neonatal intensive care, providing a safe and controlled environment to rehearse clinical scenarios, refine technical skills, and enhance team communication. 1 Historically, such training has primarily involved medical and nursing staff. However, the increasing complexity of neonatal care—particularly in tertiary surgical neonatal units—demands a more inclusive, multidisciplinary approach. This project aimed to innovate by integrating pharmacists into high-fidelity neonatal simulation training, recognising their critical yet often underrepresented roles in neonatal intensive care.The simulation scenarios were carefully designed to reflect real-world neonatal emergencies and perioperative challenges, including elements of medication prescribing and administration. Participants included resident doctors, consultants, advanced neonatal nurse practitioners (ANNPs), nurses, and pharmacists. The inclusion of pharmacists was particularly novel, as their participation in neonatal simulation training is not yet standard practice in many units.Pharmacists brought a unique and essential perspective to the simulations. Their expertise in medication safety and prescribing under pressure added a critical layer of realism and safety awareness to the scenarios. For example, pharmacists were able to identify potential dosing errors and administration challenges that might otherwise go unnoticed during high-stress clinical events. Their presence during the immediate debrief following simulations gave a different perspective on the decision-making and practices displayed during the simulated situation.Lessons Learned Preliminary feedback from participants across all disciplines highlighted the value of inclusive simulation in fostering mutual understanding of roles, improving confidence in interprofessional communication, and identifying latent safety threats. Pharmacists reported increased understanding of the pressures and competing priorities on the clinical team during emergencies, while medical and nursing staff gained a deeper appreciation for the pharmacist’s role in ensuring medication safety and supporting clinical decisions.The inclusion of pharmacists also prompted important discussions about systems-level improvements, such as streamlining medication access during emergencies and clarifying prescribing protocols. These insights have already led to tangible changes in local practice, including revised emergency checklists and improved communication of verbal orders for medications administered in an arrest scenario.Literature supports the use of simulation to improve neonatal outcomes, reduce errors, and strengthen team cohesion.2 However, the active involvement of pharmacists in such training remains an emerging practice. This project demonstrates that not only is it feasible to include pharmacists in neonatal simulation, but doing so enhances the educational value and clinical relevance of the training.By embedding all relevant professionals—including pharmacists—into simulation training, neonatal teams can better prepare for complex clinical situations. This approach fosters a culture of shared responsibility, enhances patient safety, and ultimately contributes to higher-quality neonatal care.References Fawke J, Cusack J. Neonatal simulation – training a workforce for the future. Infant 2011;7:14–18.Yousef N, Moreau R, Soghier L. Simulation in neonatal care: towards a change in traditional training? European Journal of Pediatrics 2022;181:1429–1436.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospital Of UK"
      ],
      "name": "Thomas Wyllie"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospital Of UK"
      ],
      "name": "Jayne Sage"
    }
  ],
  "title": "SP5 Enhancing neonatal safety through pharmacy-inclusive simulation",
  "uid": "df728e18-8ed4-5011-8b0e-c1b30a4c8f5c"
}