Executive Summary of the inaugural Sim@WGH meeting held in CSAC, WGH on 22nd January 2016.
This meeting was convened by the WGH site Simulation Leads, Drs Jeremy Morton and Vicky Tallentire, to bring together all those interested in simulation based activity at WGH. It was widely advertised to all professional groups based in and around WGH, through email distribution lists and word of mouth.
The two hour session involved five short presentations, with plenty of time for questions and discussion. There were 26 attendees in total, including medical and nursing staff, resuscitation officers, pharmacists, clinical educators and nurse specialists. The five short presentations focussed on simulation based activity that has taken place at WGH over the last few months: Alan Christie, Consultant Oncologist, discussed the in situ simulation activity in ward 4, and Anita Whyte, Clinical Educator in Neurosciences discussed the range of simulation activity based in DCN. Tom Bloomfield, an anaesthetic trainee, spoke about an ICU simulation based programme run in conjunction with Rosie MacFadyen, and Diane King, charge nurse in ARAU talked about the in situ resuscitation simulation programme running in the receiving unit. Last but by no means least, Marc MacCrossan, an NHS Lothian Clinical Development Fellow, spoke about his experience of getting involved in simulation at WGH – the highs and the lows!
Discussion was plentiful and highly thought-provoking. We spoke about the logistics of simulation within a clinical area, including the potential impact on other patients. We also debated the pros and cons of involving medical and nursing staff in an ‘unannounced simulation’, and discussed some of the potential unintended consequences. We brainstormed the idea of simulation training in palliative care, as well as for rehearsal of rare clinical events. The emotional toll of simulation was also discussed.
Overall it was an extremely productive afternoon, and we hope to arrange a second sim@WGH event for the summer, to bring interested and active parties at WGH back together. Watch this space…
Vicky Tallentire
Jeremy Morton