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What To Expect


Program Day Information

COACHES Program

On your scheduled day, we will 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 for the morning session and 1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. for the afternoon session. We will conduct 4 scenarios per session in an ED setting, and 3 in an inpatient environment, with each scenario lasting between 5-15 minutes with a debriefing session to follow. The total time of each session usually lasts 2½ to 3 hours.

To maximize learning opportunities for your staff, we request:

  • Team size and make up to be representative of a normal team that would respond to pediatric emergencies at your hospital. If more staff members wish to simulate, we can swap out participants in the scenarios with additional staff observing and participating in the debriefing.
  • To make the scenarios more realistic and increase team learning, we request that staff from all disciplines (i.e. RN, MD/NP/PA, RT) participate and are free from clinical duties for the duration of the session. Participants should only attend one session, as simulation cases performed are the same in both sessions.  
  • The simulations need to be conducted in a typical patient location (i.e. your facility’s 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.
  • To allow for a more realistic experience, we request equipment used in your facility will be available to your team. Items opened in the morning session can be reused in the afternoon.  Ideally, the staff will also be allowed to open your code cart. We will provide any simulated medications your staff may request.

Follow Up

Following the simulation day, we will analyze the data obtained from our visit and format it into a report for you to review. 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 as this is an assessment of your institution, not your staff), and areas where there may be opportunities for improvement, as well as any additional concerns that may be voiced during our simulations. We will contact you to schedule a time to discuss the report via a video or phone conference call. We are happy to assist you in developing individualized action items to improve pediatric care at your hospital.


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 3/31/2025).


Need more information? You can reach us at 205-638-6669 or COACHES@childrensal.org.