Using Simulation to Improve Patient Outcomes

Nationally recognized academic centers are increasingly becoming reliant upon innovative technologies for the delivery of instruction and for assuring competency of the learner. Education is continuously evolving as new modalities emerge presenting innovative methods of learning. Simulation is an effective teaching strategy for the academic preparation of graduate advanced practice nursing students. The Institute of Medicine, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Joint Commission support the use of simulation as an educational tool for enhancing patient safety. Simulation can be useful for teaching decision making, critical thinking skills and clinical management skills as well as complement practical clinical experiences. Simulation provides an unparalleled opportunity to provide real time, rich and robust experiences in managing the care of diverse populations of recipients of health care.  Simulation offers a safe learning environment for graduate students to develop effective communication skills under stressful conditions, provides a learning environment where low frequency high acuity event management can be taught and assessed. High and low fidelity simulation can provide a successful platform where topics such as interdisciplinary professionalism can be taught. The graduate student has an opportunity to acquire psychomotor skills, apply critical thinking skills and develop the self confidence needed to provide safe high quality patient care.

The purpose of this offering is to demonstrate the use of simulation in the education and preparation of advanced practice nurses to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Included will be establishment of ground rules, preparation of a safe learning environment, selection of scenarios, evaluation strategies and debriefing techniques. Strategies to make simulation real by incorporating case study supplements that help to dispel disbelief will be discussed. Evaluation methods of graduate student competency will be introduced.  An overview of challenges in the simulation setting and strategies to overcome these challenges will be presented. Real world examples of how simulation exercises improved patient outcomes will be discussed. Participants will be energized to incorporate simulation into skills training and education of graduate students.