PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Simulation is a key training tool in Golisano’s PICU
At Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, simulations are used for pediatric neurosurgical preparations—from pre-op to post-op procedures. The goal of simulations is to offer a place to learn clinical skills, get hands-on experience with new equipment, participate in face-to-face communication, and build relationships among team members.
“Simulation replicates what is practiced in real life,” explains Kristin Milot, RN, BSN, CBC, nurse manager of the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and pediatric sedation. Simulations are completed during initial onboarding, clinical training, and before every neurological patient enters the operating room (OR).
Simulation is used to train PICU teams in pediatric code blue and pediatric neurosurgery. “We participate in hands-on clinical training that simulates everything from a complete neuro assessment to shunt placement, post-operative placement, external ventricular drain setup, possible side effects, complications, and various neurosurgical procedures,” explains Milot.
The teams are made up of the entire Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, PICU physicians and practitioners, surgical OR team, critical care pediatric/neonatal transport, registered respiratory therapy, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), pediatric emergency department, and certified nursing assistant advanced (CNAA) members.
Code blue simulation prepares participants to recognize early signs of deterioration, proper coding of the pediatric patient, and post cardiac arrest resuscitation skills. Pediatric neurosurgery simulations include a neuro assessment of pre- and post-operative patients of all ages. “Lumbar drains, intracranial pressure monitoring, external ventricular drains, shunt placement/revisions/removals, and bone-flap removal for certain brain surgeries all use simulations,” explains Milot.
“Upon the first call about the arrival of a pediatric neurosurgical patient, our leadership team of clinical experts gather our staff into our simulation room—any time of the day or night,” says Milot. First, the incoming case is discussed, then the procedure that the patient will receive is simulated, the safe transfer of the patient to and from the OR and post-op care are outlined, and lastly, surgical procedures are observed first-hand with the pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Theodore Spinks.
“Our pediatric intensive care nurses go the extra mile to assist before cases go to the OR so that the simulations can be performed beforehand,” says Milot.
Golisano’s PICU received funding for the simulation program to help meet the needs of the Southwest Florida community.