SimLEARN Staff Provide Mock Code Training Through New Program
By Gerald Sonnenberg
EES Marketing and Communication
ORLANDO – The Simulation Learning, Education and Research Network (SimLEARN) recently began providing mock code training specifically geared toward advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS) staff. Utilizing SimLEARN’s Resuscitation Education Initiative (REdI) program, the REdI Mock Code Training Program (RMCTP) is accredited and implements a standardized methodology for mock code scenario development, evaluation and data collection, and helps establish uniform mock code training to equip facilities to deliver high-quality, high-impact training of their own.
The target audience for the 3-day course are ACLS and BLS instructors, and includes, but is not limited to, physicians and nurses. The training is held at local facilities with SimLEARN REdI staff traveling to the location to conduct the training. REdI also provides standardized tools to implement and evaluate the training at the local and the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level. SimLEARN REdI staff also provide standardized scenarios that have been vetted by experts for validity, online platform data collection and ongoing oversite of a facility’s RMCTP.
The training most recently took place within the New Mexico VA Health Care System at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Albuquerque on Aug. 20.
“We integrated a mock code program when we adopted REdI-based training at our facility several years ago. Our program has grown from initially running this form of simulation on a quarterly basis to the present where we have them at least once each week,” said D. Michelle Ratliff, MD, MSc, FACC, chief of the Cardiology Section. She participated in the 3-day course. “Having the SimLEARN REdI staff visit and provide additional training was very helpful. It will be useful for facilities who do not have programs or those on the path of growing a program. The standardization, development and data gathering tools provided by the program are useful. The Mock Code process allows additional training for those low-frequency, high-risk situations where staff can practice skills they acquired with RQI training in a ‘real’ environment which improves the care of our patients.”
The training is headed to St. Louis beginning Sept. 17, with more than 20 facilities scheduled to receive the training in fiscal year 2020.
For more information about this training or to see when it may be coming to your location, contact Dr. Sharon Stanke, associate director of the National SimLEARN REdI Program, or Juan Villegas, project manager.
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