"When patients began arriving incessantly, there was no need to review treatments or cognitively think through work-arounds as problems arose. I could simply act."  – Dr. Matt Bouchard 

Simulations programs prepare for emergency events

When the 2021 ‘heat dome’ descended on BC, many emergency departments (EDs) were flooded with patients with dangerous hyperthermia, requiring specialized, time-sensitive treatment. At Victoria General and Royal Jubilee hospitals, ED physicians were prepared, thanks to a hyperthermia simulation scenerio conducted the year prior.
 

Engaging interdisciplinary teams for pre-planning

Interdisciplinary teams were engaged for in-situ (department-specific) simulations. They identified important gaps were remediated in advance, including having ready access to cooled-IV fluids, body bags that could be filled with ice and water to further cool patients, and fans for misting.
 

Results and impact: teams well-prepared for a real-life scenerio

When temperatures surged in summer of 2021, simulation learnings were recirculated to Victoria EDs; preparing staff as much as possible.

This is not the first time a patient has received excellent care on the heels of a simulation exercise. For the past several years, Victoria-based ED physicians, with leadership from Dr. Matt Carere, have been running in situ simulation exercises in collaboration with colleagues from other departments - to prepare for precise, time-sensitive responses.
 

Simulations continue

The group has continued to hold simulations on other anticipated scenerios; promoting learning, interaction and continuous improvement. With their practical value real life situations, these learnings have great potential for regional spread.

"Our team functioned on the brink of crisis/Code Orange due to the sheer volume of high acuity patients. Fortunately, our team had run heatstroke and mass casualty simulations in the past. This undoubtedly saved lives.” – Dr. Jacob Wilkins
 

LEARN MORE: Go to full article