Prepping for practice simulations
SIMULATING SEPSIS: TURNING KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE
Improving sepsis mortality is one of the highest priority goals for
UAB Medicine’s Quality and Patient Safety group. The Office of
Interprofessional Simulation for Innovative Clinical Practice (OIPS)
is committed to improving patient care outcomes by embedding
simulation techniques and tools throughout the UAB community.
Because of the aligned vision, OIPS has strived to support education,
training, and outcomes related to sepsis mortality.
OIPS collaborated with UAB Care to conduct a pilot tabletop
simulation that focused on the CODE Sepsis process. Members of
the hematology/oncology health care team – including nurses, an
advanced practice provider, and nursing leadership, along with the
Medical Emergency Team (MET) – volunteered to participate in the
pilot simulation to help review our current CODE Sepsis process.
One purpose of this simulation was to examine successes and
opportunities throughout the CODE Sepsis process. Another purpose
of this simulation was to create an interactive method for reinforcing
CODE Sepsis education, to support our goal of reducing sepsis-
related mortality. Using the CODE Sepsis framework as an operational
context, the health care team provided care to the patient. This tabletop
simulation offered an opportunity for participants to work through the
care of a CODE Sepsis patient, using their knowledge of our CODE
Sepsis process. These simulations have been held in various areas
throughout UAB Hospital.
During this past year, OIPS reached almost 600 learners in various roles
with the message of reducing sepsis mortality. Simulation participants
have roughly 25 different simulation-based experiences in which
the diagnosis of sepsis has been embedded, in an effort to improve
patient care outcomes related to sepsis. Roughly 1,500 learner hours
have been spent to reinforce the recognition and treatment of sepsis
within UAB Medicine. Simulation is a savvy and responsible method
for educating and training interprofessional teams to care for patients
with sepsis. OIPS will continue to create opportunities to support the
goal of reducing sepsis mortality by collaborating with interprofessional
partners throughout the institution.
www.uabmedicine.org
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