Simulation center accreditation and programmatic benchmarks: a review for emergency medicine

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Simulation Technology
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• Simulation-based education has rapidly expanded in the last decade.
• Professional organizations are increasingly developing accreditation for simulation training.
• The impact of simulation accreditation programs requires evaluation across medical specialties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of an emergency medicine (EM)-based Simulation Consultation and Accreditation Service.
• To review existing simulation accreditation benchmarks and standards.
• To propose a model for EM simulation accreditation.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed current simulation accreditation programs.
• Analyzed existing EM simulation program structures (leadership, administration, finance).
• Developed programmatic models for operationalizing simulation training in EM.

Main Results:

• Identified components supporting best practices in simulation accreditation.
• Described three general programmatic models for EM simulation training.
• Proposed a framework for an EM-specific accreditation process.

Conclusions:

• An accreditation process, coupled with a consultation service, can advance EM simulation training.
• Standardization through accreditation is crucial for quality simulation education.
• Further development of EM simulation accreditation is recommended.