‘Sim Wars’ Medical
Simulation Challenge
On September 18, 2019, Children’s Hospital Colorado hosted and live streamed its
inaugural Sim Wars challenge, a medical simulation competition between clinical
teams that compete in various aspects of patient care. Over 300 attendees
gathered in Mt. Oxford to witness teams from the ED, PICU, CICU and Children’s
One compete in simulated, Toy Story-themed medical emergencies.
The objective of the event was to maximize the value of simulation in large groups
of teams while maintaining the benefits seen in facilitated small group simulation
encounters. Preparations for the Sim Wars challenge were orchestrated by
Executive Sponsor, Pat Givens, DHA, EdM, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President
and Chief Nursing Executive, Whitney Smith, RN, MSN, CHSE, Simulation
Program Manager (Course Director) and a multidisciplinary steering committee
comprised of bedside nurses, nurse educators, child life specialists, physicians,
APPs, AV/ Technical experts and others.
During the competition, the majority of points were determined by team
communication strategies like role clarity, closed-loop communication, clear
team designation and task prioritization. Critical medical skills categories
included high quality CPR, CPR feedback, establishing an airway, using available
resources creatively and staying calm under pressure. Audience support also
increased team scores - cheers were ranked by the decibel level. Teams were also
awarded points for costume creativity.
90%
Of survey respondents revealed that
they feel a Sim Wars challenge helps
build a positive simulation culture at
Children’s Colorado
56%
Learner volume increase in
the Sim Lab in Q4
Congratulations to Team PICU, who took home the gold and earned the title of
2019 Sim Wars Champions.
The benefit of ‘Sim Wars’ and clinical simulation
in nursing
Hosting Sim Wars challenges provide our nurses, PCS team members and other
non-simulation faculty members the opportunity to participate in simulationbased
activities, under the close supervision of experienced clinical instructors.
It illustrates how critical simulation labs are in preparing clinical staff for the
kinds of emergency situations that nurses experience on a daily basis. A challenge
like this is especially helpful to new nurses, as it affords them more experience
dealing with high-pressure situations and other conditions that they may not have
encountered during their clinical rotations in school.
Just as important as participating in clinical simulations are the debrief processes
that follow. Being able to demonstrate effective debriefing tools when time is
limited is essential. The end result for participants is being better prepared and
more confident in their abilities. As an outcome of Sim Wars, learner volume
increased by 56% in the Sim Lab in Q4 2019 compared to the same timeframe in
2018. Additionally, 90% of survey respondents revealed that they feel a Sim Wars
challenge helps build a positive simulation culture at Children’s Colorado.
2019 Nursing Year in Review