Clinical Simulations Training

Patient simulators provide a safe and efficacious way for staff in an acute care setting to learn and practice clinical skills, strengthen AACN Synergy Model competencies and develop a reflective practice. With the new technology, healthcare workers have many possibilities to improve patient care through the incorporation of patient simulation in staff development and continuing education.

The clinical simulations lab is a state-of-the-art technology for training.  The lab has patient rooms that resemble the hospital rooms including beds, bath basins, personal cards and belongings.  Four rooms have a patient simulator that is anatomically correct with veins and functioning biorhythms like a heart beat and a pulse.  The patient has a name, arm band, medical chart and a history of problems.  Each room has a heart monitor and clinical equipment like IV pumps or ventilator that is fully operational and alarm when there is a problem. The patient simulators can cough, vomit and mimic other bodily functions as well as speak to the employee. Instructors have developed pre-programmed scenarios that respond to the employee’s actions.  The employee can work alone or with a group of employees during the simulation. When the employee performs a task like giving a medication the patient’s biorhythms will change positively or negatively depending if the action was correct. In addition to the patient assessment, the employee can look at past 12 lead EKGs, x-rays or lab values to determine what needs to be done. The instructor provides a time for reflection and debriefing to help the employee learn through the process. Studies have shown that simulation increases learning and application in the work setting. 

Through the simulated experiences we are able to mimic real life experiences so the staff can learn the correct procedures and how to problem solve in certain situations.  Not only is the training experience great for clinical staff but any employee who enters a patient room like dietary, environmental services or plant ops.   When they walk into the room and the patient complains, the environmental services employee can respond and learn how to deal with the situation.  Integrated into the training are other principles like collaborative practice and response to diversity.  The employee learns how to work with the health care team to meet the patient’s special needs.