Simulation Program
"An immersion in the reality of pediatric patient care"
Nationwide Children’s Simulation Program supports the hospital’s guiding principle to “Create a safe day every day.” Accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, our Simulation Program provides opportunities for various medical professionals to practice technical skills, medical judgment and collaborative teamwork. Simulation activities incorporate a variety of simulation modalities and methodologies including state-of-the-art simulators, actual patient care environments, virtual reality and task trainers. Typical simulation sessions place the learners in a safe and controlled learning environment where they actively participate in highly immersive, realistic and high-risk scenarios. All simulation activity is aimed at improving the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare services.
Our simulation program has a dedicated staff including medical directors, simulation coordinators, simulation technologists and facilitators, who work together to develop and implement simulation based education programs that meet the changing needs of the organization.
Our Mission
Integrate agile and immersive simulation that leads to best outcomes in pediatric healthcare.
Our Vision
By leading the way in simulation, we will empower healthcare teams, patients and families to reach their highest potential.
We put this into action by:
- Provide a safe, non-threatening, controlled learning environment.
- Improve inter-professional teamwork and communication.
- Identify areas of vulnerability in the clinical environment.
- Standardize in-hospital approach to medical emergencies.
- Validate continuing competence of healthcare professionals.
- Foster deliberate practice of procedural skills.
- Integrate simulation-based orientation to all new facilities and equipment.
- Evaluate and enhance system preparedness for low frequency/high risk events
- Develop and implement competency-based training and assessment measures for individuals and teams
- Improve early recognition of patients at risk for adverse outcomes
Simulation Center
Our brand new 7,500 square feet Simulation Center is now open. It is located in the Education Conference Center at 520 Butterfly Gardens Drive. This center greatly expands the capacity to create varied and realistic learning environments. Highlights of the new center include:
- Six simulation rooms designed closely match different hospital rooms, such as inpatient, outpatient, and operating rooms.
- Surgical and medical skills lab to practice procedural technique with an instructor.
- Two debriefing/conference rooms to reflect on the simulation experience.
Main Campus A1040 Simulation Lab
The Main Campus A1040 Simulation Lab continues to be in operation as well. This lab offers 650 square feet of a highly immersive learning environment to improve clinical staff's skills and behavior with the goal of improving patient outcomes. The lab includes space for two patient rooms that are modeled after actual inpatient rooms.
Our lab is modeled after a patient’s hospital room and is equipped with AV equipment. If you would like to schedule a session, please fill out our online request form.
Zero Hero
All sessions include practice with the Nationwide Children's safety initiative: Zero Hero Essentials. The principles of this program include:
- ARCC - Ask a question, Request a change, voice a Concern, Chain of command
- STAR - Stop, Think, Act, Review
- SBAR Communication - Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommended intervention
- 3-Way Communication - 1 or 2 clarifying questions (closed- loop communication, read-back)
- Standardized Handover
- QVV - Qualify, Validate, Verify
- Stop and Resolve
In Situ Simulation
Our In Situ program takes simulation experiences to the learner in their work environment. A mobile high-fidelity simulator is taken to in-patient units, intensive care units and off-site locations. Multi-disciplinary sessions are utilized to train staff in our START program (Simulation Training for Assessment, Resuscitation and Teamwork), mock codes, and resident and fellow training. We have implemented a Rolling Refresher program which allows staff to practice compressions on a simulator and receive immediate feedback that their compressions are effective. All sessions include practice with our "Zero Hero Essentials."
Director of Simulation and Outreach Education
Cheryl Camacho, MBA, CHSE, Paramedic
Cheryl.Camacho@NationwideChildrens.org
Simulation Medical Directors
D.J. Scherzer, MD
Daniel.Scherzer@NationwideChildrens.org
Tensing Maa, MD
Tensing.Maa@nationwidechildrens.org
Karen Diefenbach, MD
Karen.Diefenback@Nationwidechildrens.org
Simulation Coordinators
Erin Adamik, MSN, RN, CPN
Erin.Adamik@NationwideChildrens.org
Ashley Brophy, MSN, PNP, RNC-NIC
Ashley.Brophy@NationwideChildrens.org
Mary Coles, MSN, RN, CHSE
Mary.Coles@NationwideChildrens.org
Thomas Heater II, RRT, BBA, CHSE
Thomas.HeaterII@NationwideChildrens.org
Elizabeth Huenke, MS, RNC-NIC
Elizabeth.Huenke@NationwideChildrens.org
Lauren Kirchner, BSN, RN
Lauren.Kirchner@NationwideChildrens.org
Erica Rey, BSN, RN, CPN, CHSE
Erica.Rey@NationwideChildrens.org
Rebecca Runyan, BSN, RN, CPN
Rebecca.Runyan@NationwideChildrens.org
Megan Whittaker, MSN, APRN
Megan.Whittaker@NationwideChildrens.org
Simulation Operations Specialist
Christon Hampton, BSN, RN
Christon.Hampton@NationwideChildrens.org
Paula Jenkins, RRT, NSP
Paula.Jenkins@NationwideChildrens.org
Simulation Technicians
Nathan Holmes
Nathan.Holmes@NationwideChildrens.org
Education Specialists
Char Rees
Charlotte.Rees@NationwideChildrens.org
Administrative Specialists
Bradford Paulauskas
Bradford.Paulauskas@NationwideChildrens.org
High Fidelity Simulators
Abner/Abby
Premie baby simulator nicknamed Abner/Abby by the simulation team is a 30-week-old wireless preterm infant simulator. Abner/Abbie can be used as a task trainer and as a fully functional high-fidelity simulator.
Ester
Ester is the first newborn simulator developed to meet the challenges of neonatal care specialist training in real environments. Active movement, true ventilator support, real patient monitoring, and all-day battery life. These are just a few of the revolutionary new capabilities, which allow Super Tory to simulate complex pathologies and respond to interventions with unparalleled realism.
Newborn
Newborn allows you to take advanced simulation where you need to go and that can be at an accident scene, in an ER, in a Labor and Delivery room, or in a NICU. “Care in motion” also provides the opportunity for you to measure how well patient “hand-offs” take place.
Wally, Willie, Russell
Wally, Willie and Russell mimic a patient age of 15 months to 28 months. He allows you to take advanced simulation where you need to train. It may be at an accident scene, in an ER, an EMS vehicle, or even in a He remains fully functional while being moved from place to place. This “Care in motion” allows you to evaluate both team training and how well patient “hand-offs” are conducted. What is done well? What needs to be improved?
Ferguson
Ferguson mimics a patient age of 4 years to 7 years. Ferguson is a tetherless simulator with wireless communications. Fully responsive, even during transport. Wireless streaming audio. Automatic or instructor control.
Tracheostomy Skills Checklists Available for Download
The Tracheostomy Skills Checklists are a systematic tool used to assess and quantify an individual’s competency in basic trach tube management. It provides a structured framework with clear descriptors, allowing assessors to rate skills consistently and objectively, making it valuable for performance evaluations, training assessments, and skill development tracking.