Shock Week swims into Clinical Simulation

UAB Clinical Simulation’s annual Shock Week offers interprofessional learners the chance to sharpen their code skills. 

But, unlike its toothy cable TV counterpart, there’s nothing fishy about it. Held during a week in July, along with a makeup session in August, Shock Week welcomes interprofessional learners from across UAB Medicine, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists and respiratory therapists, who team up to respond to simulated Code Blue events, with each participant playing their respective role. 

“The greatest benefit is that they’re all learning with each other at the same time,” said Kyle Meissner, M.D., facilitator and a chief medical resident with UAB Internal Medicine. “This setting really helps participants grow more comfortable with resuscitation efforts for patients, and they’re also learning exactly what each team member’s job is and how to determine what their job in this situation might be.”

Meissner speaks from experience, having participated in Shock Week himself as a new resident in 2022.

“I remember the simulation feeling a lot more realistic than I thought it would, but when I went to the ICU two months later, I encountered a similar (code) situation and felt a lot more comfortable handling it. When I go to a code now as an attending, I know the nurse will be giving this IV, which will get passed off from the pharmacist. Thanks to Shock Week, the learners are now going to know what they’ll have to do and why.”

Shock Week made a splash with nurse educator Natalie Reece, R.N., who attended her first session this past July. 

“It was incredibly helpful, especially since it was very hands-on, working together as a team and making sure that we communicate effectively with closed-loop communication,” Reece said. “Not only that, but I’ll also be able to better teach my staff about how to handle a code situation.”

Learn how UAB Clinical Simulation can benefit your staff, team or department by emailing simulation@uabmc.edu. 

UAB Medicine’s Clinical Simulation program offers opportunities for individuals and teams across UAB Medicine and beyond to practice before they deliver care. We encourage all who provide and support patient care to “SimFirst.” Together, we can put our patients’ safety first.