BRIDGES
AUGUST 2022
Quick Links
The Intersection of Accreditation and Simulation Technology
Making Off-Unit Clinical Simulation EPIC
Rivier University, the CARES Act, and Virtual SimTech
A FREE, Digital Resource for Virtual Simulations
Simulated Learning at Dillard University College of Nursing
Technology SOS (Stimulates Outcomes of Students) in Nursing Simulation
Maximizing Simulation Using a GoPro
Peer Evaluator Spotlight: Angela Balistrieri
Staff Spotlight: Renski Davis-Buckley
Technology SOS (Stimulates Outcomes of Students) in Nursing Simulation
Written by Cindy Morse, PhD, RN, CNE
Essex Campus Nursing Lab Manager at Community College of Baltimore County School of Health Professions
Published August 2022
Many students dream about becoming a nurse. At the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), we make these dreams into reality through educating the next generation of nurses. The CCBC is one of the largest educators of nurses in the State of Maryland, admitting over 300 students each year. Dr. Cindy Morse is the Simulation Lab Manager at CCBC’s Essex Campus. Dr. Morse started her career as an associate degree-prepared nurse, culminating with a doctorate of philosophy specializing in nursing education. Dr. Morse has the privilege of assisting students in achieving their dream of becoming a registered nurse through a dynamic program entitled Technology SOS (Stimulates Outcomes of Students) in Nursing Simulation.
Simulation is a hands-on activity that helps students to apply knowledge gained through the classroom setting to a simulated experience. The use of technology provides students a lifelike experience within the simulation lab. We use many technology modalities to offer the closest real-life experience within the lab. Unlike the clinical setting, simulations ensure that each student has the same exposure to a clinical experience. Each course within the curriculum contains 2‒4 simulations that are used to connect classroom theory to clinical practice. Further, these simulations enable students to use clinical reasoning skills in a safe environment where faculty are available for coaching and mentoring.
The CCBC simulation laboratory mimics a hospital setting. Each simulation room is equipped with a high-fidelity mannequin. Students can perform a complete assessment on the mannequin, including checking blood pressure, pulse, respirations, as well as heart, lung, and bowel sounds. Each mannequin has a wireless connection to the operating system, which allows faculty to change the mannequin’s vital signs, heart, lung, and bowel sounds in real time. Each simulation is unique based on the student’s actions during the simulation, further enhancing students’ learning experience. Each simulation room also has a patient monitor, providing vital information such as heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and pulse oximetry readings. Therefore, students can monitor this patient data throughout the experience.
Simulated experiences are recorded through a commercial product called B-Line1, which is supported by Laerdal. B-Line consists of cameras and microphones that record each simulated experience. The B-Line system provides the capability to record or livestream simulations. Simulations can be streamed to classrooms, permitting large groups of students to observe the experience. The recorded simulation is also used during debrief exercises following each experience. This permits faculty to play back specific points within the simulation for teaching purposes.
Students also have access to the patient’s electronic chart within each simulation room. Docucare is the product used to provide an electronic chart. Faculty have access to many preloaded patients; they can also edit existing patient data or input their own patient data to support the experience. Students can access patient information and demographics, including current and previous visits, physician orders, admission assessment, allergies, the Medication Management Record (MAR), and notes. Medications for each experience are stored within the PYXIS system. Access to the PYXIS system allows students the opportunity to practice using the electronic devise that is in their actual clinical setting. After reviewing the MAR through Docucare, students can utilize PYXIS to retrieve the ordered medications. This enables us to have a full patient care experience within the simulation lab.
Students are also active in assisting within the simulation lab. Members of the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society created videos of skills that require competence within the program. These videos are recorded through the B-Line system, and students have unlimited access on the cloud. Students can review the videos to prepare for both simulated and clinical learning experiences.
The use of simulation is a vital component in the CCBC curriculum. Through these experiences, students are better prepared to function within the clinical setting, and the number of clinical failures have decreased. Technology SOS has greatly assisted students in achieving their goal of becoming a nurse!
1Note: Since Laerdal’s acquisition of B-Line Medical, this technology has since been renamed SimCapture under the new branding.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Essex Campus Nursing Lab Manager
Community College of Baltimore County School of Health Professions