What To Expect

Program Day Information

On the day of simulation, we would plan to arrive at your facility between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. with a start time between 8:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Each scenario lasts between 5-15 minutes and is followed by a debriefing session. The total time of each session usually lasts 2½ to 3 hours.

There are some housekeeping issues that we have learned are some of the most difficult issues hospitals face with setting up these simulation sessions and want to ensure you are aware of ahead of time:

1. Each simulation team must consist of all disciplines (i.e. RN, MD/PA/NP, RT) that usually care for your pediatric emergencies and all are without clinical duties. This is of vital importance as the simulation scenarios are designed for an intact team and without that learning is severely diminished and the scenario does not run well. We will NOT be able to run the simulations if all disciplines are not represented (especially MD/PA/NP). The morning session team and the afternoon session team should consist of entirely different members (i.e. no one person can participate in both sessions).
2. The team needs to be as close to the size of what a normal team would be. Too small or too large a team will also diminish learning.
3. The simulations need to be conducted in a typical patient location (i.e. trauma bay, resuscitation room, pediatric room). In the event the room is needed for an actual patient, we can pack up and be out of the room very quickly.
4. We have found during our time at other institutions that your staff will be capable of learning much better if they are allowed to utilize their own equipment. We will be assessing the ease in which your staff can locate the needed supplies. The equipment we may need will be a couple of bags of fluids, 1-2 IV tubing sets, 1-2 oxygen delivery devices, intubation equipment, defibrillation pads, syringes, and perhaps a few other small/low cost items. Ideally, the staff will also be allowed to open your code cart if needed. The more realistic the scenario, the better the learning. We will provide simulated medications that they may request. We can reuse these items for the afternoon sessions as well to lessen waste.

Follow Up

Following our simulation day, we will analyze the data obtained and format it into a report out to send to you. It will include any deficiencies found on the National EMSC survey, objective data as to your team’s performance (we do not include any team members by name…this is an assessment of your institution, not your staff) and areas where there may be opportunities for improvement, as well as any additional issues that may be voiced during our simulations. We will follow up with a phone call to discuss the report out with you and implementation strategies we can assist you with to improve pediatric care at your institution.

Contact Hours

Children’s of Alabama designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Children’s of Alabama is accredited by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This program has been approved for 3.0 nursing continuing education contact hours by Children’s of Alabama. Children’s of Alabama is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing as a provider of continuing education in nursing (provider number ABNP0133; expiration 6/29/2021).

Need other information? You can reach us at 205-638-5811 or COACHES@childrensal.org.