Introduction Human error and system failure contribute to adverse outcomes in health care.1 We report on an obstetric crisis resource management (OCRM) course offered since 2005 at Addenbrooke's Cambridge Univesrsity NHS Trust.

Individuals are trained using high fidelity simulation to develop situational awareness, anticipate and plan, assume leadership, communicate effectively, call for help, allocate and distribute workload and utilise resources effectively. Confidential enquiries into maternal deaths have repeatedly found substandard communication to be a major contributing factor.

Methods The course was evaluated from candidate feedback forms. Data was collected from 10 courses conducted during 2005 to 2011. The 8-hour program is held in a simulation lab which is set up as an actual delivery suite. The scenarios constituted failed spinal, intraoperative bleed, can't intubate /can't ventilate, eclampsia, maternal collapse and anaphylaxis. 112 candidates have attended since 2005.

Results 112 (100%) feedback forms were completed. Delegates included anaesthetists, obstetricians and midwives. 96% rated the course to be excellent and met their educational needs. 96% stated that OCRM training will alter their practice. 68% had encountered the simulated scenarios in their clinical practice. 74% learned from the scenario and 87% felt that they were better prepared to deal with the clinical situation. 90% found the debrief sessions helpful and 62% felt non-threatened by the scenarios, further supporting the principles of learning incorporated into OCRM simulated training.

Conclusion Our experience suggests that obstetric crisis resource management training using high fidelity medical simulators can lead to perceived improvement in performance and patient safety.