Testing with simulation before a big move at Women & Infants Hospital.

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Healthcare Process Improvement
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Identifying process gaps before institutional changes is crucial for effective implementation.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staff require specialized training for facility orientation and patient safety.
• Traditional methods like committees may not uncover all potential issues in complex healthcare environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the benefits of simulation for NICU facilities orientation.
• To assess the impact of scenario-based training on patient safety and provider preparedness.
• To identify process gaps undetectable by conventional methods.

Main Methods:

• Utilized simulation (TESTPILOT) for facilities orientation and scenario-based training with NICU staff.
• Collected feedback from healthcare providers on the perceived benefits and impact on patient safety.
• Analyzed simulation-identified problems to improve existing processes and tailor staff training.

Main Results:

• NICU staff reported simulation as highly beneficial for facilities orientation.
• A majority of providers believed scenario-based training enhanced patient safety.
• Simulation identified critical process issues missed by committee reviews.
• The insights gained led to improved processes and tailored staff training workshops.

Conclusions:

• Simulation is a valuable tool for identifying process gaps and enhancing patient safety in NICU settings.
• Scenario-based training effectively improves staff preparedness and facility orientation.
• The success of simulation has led to plans for establishing a dedicated simulation facility.