SimPort: A resource for Peri-Operative Services and much more!

Finding out what other simulation centers are doing, rather than recreating the proverbial wheel is important to efficiently advancing healthcare. Sharing resources not only lets work be built on and improved, but saves time and energy.

A wonderful reseource which provides links to dozens of simulation centers is a website called SimPort.

A link can be found here::

http://www.simportal.umn.edu/simulation.htm

So whether you are looking at pediatrics, surgery, out patient clinics or whatever, this is a great site to go to as you can find links to sim centers that can help you.

Sandie Nadelson

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vSIM: Something New or Same Old Sim

Video simulation does make sense to use as it provides a variety of features that may not be available at all simulation experiences (McGill, Anderson, & Francis, 2016). This is particularly true at smaller nursing programs where experts in simulation may not be available. These features include a web-based platform with nursing scenarios developed by experts. The virtual simulation process can be applied to a variety of nursing situations such as OB, Peds, Med-Surg and behavioral health.

Research on the topic performed by Foronda et al (2016) indicates that most students found it easy to use and they recommended to use it in the future. However, they also found that there was frustration regarding “real-time features” such as handwashing. In addition, the vSIM software did not allow for multitasking. This reduced the reality of a nurse’s experience.

So my summary of this product is that it is worth using. It is not the same old simulation, just online. This does provide an excellent individualized learning experience which is not readily available to students in a live sim lab. The cost of the vSIM scenarios which can be paid by students or the nursing program can save money and provided for a reflective learning experience.

For additional information on this product, the developing organization, Laerdal, has information and a free trial available at:http://www.laerdal.com/us/doc/2946/vSim-for-Nursing-Medical-Surgical

References:

Foronda, C. L., Swoboda, S. M., Hudson, K. W., Jones, E., Sullivan, N., Ockimey, J., & Jeffries, P. R. (2016). Evaluation of vSIM for Nursing™: A Trial of Innovation. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 12(4), 128-131. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876139915001024

McGill, R., Anderson, J., & Francis, K. (2014). An innovative approach to nursing education: bridging the theory practice gap using simulated learning. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 22(6), 40. Available at: http://search.proquest.com/openview/a24d7580bea448d0934901f79562b35e/1?pq-origsite=gscholar

High fidelity manikins to be a thing of the past?

People are starting to wonder if mannikins are going to be replaced by computer screens and programs. The introduction of vSIM has made the need for a piece of plastic full of wires outdated in some people's minds. However, the ability of vSIM to meet all students needs at this point is a bit limited. Research just published by Foronda et al (2016) indicates that there are limitation to virtual mannikins. The technology is still clunky causing the ability to multi-task and move smoothly between one or more activities nearly impossible.

Seeing what the future holds with this will be interesting! I think there will be a place for high fidelity manikins in the future, but do believe vSIM or similar products will gain traction and reduce the need for some of the medium and high tech machines.

Reference:

Manikins:

Whether one is using a high or low fidelity manikin, it is important to remember that the key to learning is not the use of the technology alone and how many "bells and "wistles" are used, but of the reflecting on the experience and understanding how one's abilities met or didn't meet the standard. If areas of improvement are found, then developing a plan to enhance one's skills and abilities is needed. Here's a nice diagram which shows how "the experience" = simulation can be used to imrpove care.

This model was drawn from Kolb's (1984) model on learning.

 More about how this can be used in simulation can be found at this website developed by Mass general and the reference below:

http://www.mghpcs.org/ipc/Programs/Simulation_Overview.asp

Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Note: Some of the information/assignments for the sim 503 course can be found in at "SIM 203 Weekly Activity"

Moulage:

In my eportfolio, I have pasted a link to a video about a program called "Every Fifteen Minutes" (see "Moulage Video"). There is a similar video about one high school's experience with this simulation you can watch at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Q0zvN1ivs

The simulation in part due to the moulage is very powerful in helping teens understand the importance of being safe drivers. The sceens created in doing this simulation are quite graphic and need to be set up using a lot of moulage techniques.

A link to important information and a HUGE resource manual on how this simulation is done can be found at:

https://www.chp.ca.gov/ResearchAndPlanningSectionSite/Documents/E15M_Manual.pdf

The manual includes information about moulage and setting up the experience.

Hope you take a look at these resources and use them in your own simulation.