The Challenge
The University (School of Nursing) and the University Hospital in Stavanger, Norway, were both making use of simulation training, but wanted to integrate more simulation into the everyday training schedule in order to improve the training for healthcare students and for healthcare professionals.
The Customer
The Stavanger University, School of Nursing offers a 3-year Bachelor degree program, a number of 3 & 4-semester postgraduate studies, and a 2-year Master program. The Stavanger University Hospital serves a population of 300,000 (470,000 with respect to specialized services such as PCI and neuro surgery) and employs 600 physicians and 1600 nurses. The hospital has a strong focus on acute medicine.
The Journey
The University of Stavanger, the University Hospital, and Laerdal Medical shared the following aspiration: to strengthen acute medicine and increase patient safety. Improved medical training - for healthcare students and healthcare professionals - was considered a crucial part of this endeavor, and hence the three organizations joined forces in order to establish a center for learning and research in Stavanger.
The Solution
Stavanger University Hospital, University of Stavanger, and Laerdal Medical established Stavanger Acute Medicine Foundation for Education and Research (SAFER) in 2006. Their main activity is to develop and conduct simulation training for a wide variety of users. To accommodate students, the scenarios are designed to integrate with their curriculum, while training for professionals is tailored to meet the various educational needs of this diverse group. SAFER further conducts instructor training (Train-The-Trainer courses) and carries out research around Patient safety and Simulation as a pedagogical method. SAFER actively participates in national and international simulation networks and acts as a model center for others who plan to establish similar learning centers. The simulation center is located in Stavanger and the 900 sq meter facilities comprise 7 simulation rooms, 2 control rooms, 3 debriefing rooms, labs, and 1 large classroom that can be divided into 2 smaller rooms. Training equipment currently includes 1 SimMan 3G, 5 SimMan, 2 SimBaby, 1 SimNewB, 8 AV systems, 8 PCs with MicroSim, 1 Resusci Anne Skills Station, 2 ALS simulators, and a number of skill trainers and manikins.
The Results
Many more students and healthcare professionals now train in a safe, controlled environment. Hence, more students are better prepared for clinical practice, and more professionals have discovered how to enhance both individual competency and their performance as members of a team.
Stavanger Acute Medicine Foundation for Education and Research - SAFER
SAFER facilitates simulation training for all sectors in the Chain of Survival. To accommodate the diverse group of participants, SAFER offers skills training, decision-making training, and full-scale simulation training - individually and in teams. Communication, interaction, and leadership are all highly focused aspects of the full-scale simulation training. The center trains 3,000 individuals a year. The mission of SAFER is to strengthen acute medicine and patient safety, by contributing to improved medical training and enhanced competence for healthcare personnel.
Learn more at http://safer.net
