| Summary: | Abstract Introduction More than half of pregnancies experienced by U.S. women are unintended, one in five ends in miscarriage, and one in four ends in abortion. Uterine aspiration is a procedure used to manage miscarriage or incomplete or therapeutic abortion. Because complications of uterine aspiration are rare, trainees may benefit from supplemental complication training. To practice managing hemorrhage as a complication of uterine hemorrhage, this training module uses a fruit (i.e., pitaya/dragonfruit) model for practicing hands-on skills, cases, and a helpful mnemonic (6 Ts) for learning causes and management steps. Methods The instructor uses the provided PowerPoint to review safety, potential risks, and complications of uterine aspiration. Next, the instructor undertakes fishbowl demonstration of uterine aspiration using a case complicated by hemorrhage. An interactive brainstorm helps review causes and management steps for hemorrhage, using the 6 Ts mnemonic for causes (i.e., tissue, tone, trauma, and thrombin) and management (i.e., transfer, treatment) of bleeding. Next, learners split into groups of three (provider, assistant, and evaluator) so each can practice and be evaluated on integration of all management steps. The larger group then reunites to discuss pitfalls and keys for integration into clinical settings. Results We evaluated the workshop among a group of medical and nursing professionals with varied uterine aspiration experience. A total of 46 learners participated in the trainings and session evaluations. Knowledge scores improved from pre− to posttest, with a mean overall improvement of 9%. Further, 19 participants were asked additional questions following the training. The majority agreed that the simulation helped prepare them for specific skills of cannula test (94%), uterine tamponade with foley (94%), and assessment of the cervix for bleeding (83%). Discussion Given the fact that complications of uterine aspiration are rare, trainees will benefit from this supplemental complication training. Compared to sophisticated models, this simulation is inexpensive and materials are easily attainable in most parts of the world. Pitaya fruit simulates both the grittiness of the uterus after aspiration, pliability of uterine involution, and those varieties with red pulp nicely simulate bleeding (although red food dye can also be added to saline). If pitaya is seasonally unavailable, papaya can also be substituted.
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