Coastal Simulation Program smashing sim scenario records
The Coastal Simulation Program is on track to break its own record for monthly simulation scenarios.
By the end of November, the program will have reached a new high in sim activity with more than 80 scenarios supported – from newly developed simulation-based events designed to support LPNs to expand their assessment skills to its highly successful weekly events in the Emerg Resus.
Typically, the sim team supports about 47 scenarios each month, here on the LGH campus as well as in rural sites throughout Coastal.
Karen Schafer, Education Lead, Simulation Strategy, says a big part of the program’s recent success is due to the hardworking Sim Operations Specialist Richard Pinto, who joined the program just over a year ago.
“Richard has been ‘the one’ to keep this all going,” says Karen. “He is mostly working on his own now as I work on supporting and encouraging new users.”
Meet the Team: Karen Schafer – Education Lead, Simulation Strategy, Clinical Education; Richard Pinto – Sim Operations Specialist, Clinical Education; Dr. Shannon Chestnut – Medical Education Lead, Simulation
Program launched in February 2015
Thanks to the generosity of Kevin and Patricia Huscroft and other donors to LGH Foundation, the Coastal Simulation Program lifted off in February 2015 and was able to purchase three high-tech manikins (Ace the SimMan, SimJr and SimBaby) to create emergency situations or typical patient care scenarios that “simulate” reality in a risk-free environment. Since then, much more equipment has been purchased and is in use to support the many events that occur.
The program opened a second sim space in the Academic Hub in August 2016.
Karin Olson, Chief Operating Officer, Coastal, gives high praise to the team.
“This is incredible work and so impressive in terms of reach to so many learners,” says Karin. “I look forward to coming over to get a demonstration very soon.”
What’s in store for 2017
New areas have expressed interest and are working toward developing regular simulation events. PAR and Obstetrics are the next two groups we hope will be our next good news stories, says Karen.
Staff within the CST project have had an initial experience using simulation to explore workflows on the units. Regional Clinical Educators Christina Choung, Erica Manarovici and Practice Initiative Leads Zerlina Chan and Christy Benson Aquirre lead in designing and executing this new approach to using simulation.
“This resulted in important learning for CST, unit managers and directors,” says Karen. “We expect to use simulation for more testing of systems and processes. It will also play a part in the education of staff on the electronic health record before we go live and as part of continuous support of new EHR users.”
Supported courses
Simulation-based courses currently supported include:
- ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- PALS – Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- NRP – Neonatal Resuscitation Program
- MoreOB – Managing Obstetric Risk Efficiently
- STRUC – Simulation Trauma Resuscitation Update Course
- Mock Code Blues all over the hospital
- Insitu – Simulations on units: Pediatrics, Emergency, OR, ICU
- Resident sims
- Hospital Orientation Day 2& 3
- Sechelt OR
- Squamish OR
- Outreach ACLS
- Bella Bella
- Bella Coola
- REAP (Rural anesthesia GPA simulation based education)
- Enchanced Cardiac Care
- Simulation Learning Strategies