Practice Makes Prepared: RCDP at Lakeland

When faced with cardiac arrest, there’s no time for hesitation. Each team member must know their role, respond with confidence and act in sync. 

That’s why UAB Mobile Simulation partnered with Lakeland Community Hospital to host an immersive Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice (RCDP) session—a training approach that emphasizes repetition and real-time feedback until each critical skill becomes second nature. 

During the simulation, participants worked through the essential steps of a Code Blue response: calling for help, initiating compressions, delivering defibrillator shocks and administering life-saving medications. Between each cycle, facilitators paused to give immediate feedback, then restarted the scenario to reinforce best practices. 

The interprofessional team included registered nurses, a nurse practitioner, a respiratory therapist and even a nursing student. Each participant rotated through roles, refining technical skills while also strengthening teamwork and communication under pressure. 

For Chris Benson, CRNP, the most powerful takeaway was seeing a new graduate walk away with the confidence to perform in a real code. At Lakeland, the lesson was clear: preparation saves lives—and simulation makes preparation possible. 

UAB Medicine’s Clinical Simulation program offers opportunities for individuals and teams across UAB Medicine and beyond to practice before they deliver care. The UAB Mobile Simulation program is part of the services offered through the Alabama Rural Health Collaborative (ARHC) We encourage all who provide and support patient care to “Sim First.” Together, we can put our patients’ safety first.