Opening an outpatient facility. Conducting a mock run

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Simulation
• Operational Efficiency

Background:

• New hospital units require thorough preparation for seamless operation.
• Effective onboarding is crucial for nursing staff to adapt to new environments and protocols.
• Simulation-based training offers a safe space to identify and address operational challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a mock run in preparing nurses for a new unit.
• To identify operational challenges and educational needs through a simulated scenario.
• To enhance team cooperation and staff comfort during unit transition.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a comprehensive mock run simulating unit operations.
• Facilitated discussion groups post-simulation to identify problems and solutions.
• Documented operational questions and identified specific training requirements.

Main Results:

• Nurses demonstrated high levels of cooperation and teamwork during the mock run.
• The simulation revealed non-routine operational questions regarding equipment (autoclave, OR beds), crash cart location, and medication management.
• Identified specific educational needs, including autoclave operation and patient discharge procedures.

Conclusions:

• Mock runs are beneficial for increasing nursing staff comfort and team cohesion in new units.
• Simulations effectively uncover critical operational issues and training gaps.
• Targeted education based on simulation findings is essential for optimizing unit readiness and patient care.