UAB Mobile Sim introduces ED Decon sim at Russell Medical Center

A pilot simulation covering emergency department contamination is helping Russell Medical Center prepare for a low-occurrence, high-risk situation. 

Russell is based in Alexander City, Ala., where a diverse industrial base draws significant commuter and freight traffic, increasing the likelihood that the medical center’s health-care team could be treating patients affected by chemical exposure. 

As such, Eric Miller, R.N., emergency department nurse manager, and Allyson Garrett, R.N., employee health educator, reached out to UAB Mobile Simulation and requested a simulation dealing with such a scenario. 

On June 13, the mobile simulation team delivered. An immersive simulation, featuring a standardized patient (a person trained to portray a patient, demonstrating their medical history, physical exam findings and emotional responses to provide learners with a realistic experience), saw learners donning decontamination gear to admit a patient exposed to an unknown chemical. 

“This is a low-prevalence, high-risk opportunity in our community, and some of our team members have never put on a decontamination suit before,” Garrett said. “So, it was very important for them to learn about the process—not only to protect the other patients in the facility, but themselves,” Garrett said. 

Learners recognized the importance of teamwork during the simulation, working through all the necessary steps to avoid recontamination of the patient and further exposure.  

Learner Johnathon Coffee, R.N., appreciated the opportunity. 

“It was great practice for all involved,” he said. “We should run simulations like this more often, so everybody is more up to date on best practices and procedures.” 

To learn more about mobile simulation opportunities, visit here.