Ensuring Capability to Provide Safe Patient Care Prior to Occupying Renovated Clinical Area

To determine the effectiveness of simulation in improving staff confidence to provide safe patient care in a new or unfamiliar patient care area.

Hospitals undergo constant renovation to meet the needs of the populations they serve. Relocating to a newly renovated care area can potentially impact patient safety through workflow process changes.

Simulated patient care scenarios were used to assess functionality of equipment and staff orientation to a newly renovated ward. Additionally, staff confidence to provide safe patient care was assessed prior to patient relocation.

All participating staff reported feeling confident in their ability to provide safe patient care within the newly renovated ward at the conclusion of the exercise.

In this case study, the use of simulated patient care scenarios was successful to orientate staff to a new clinical space. Additionally, staff were able to identify workflow changes and access the functionality of newly installed equipment. This exercise allowed staff to gain confidence in their ability to provide safe patient care in a newly renovated area.