Why Go Mobile?

In 2012, Northeast Georgia Health System began discussions to improve inpatient and outpatient safety outcomes in our community and outreach areas by improving accessibility to simulation training. With the support of NGHS’s Hospital Administration and funding from the Foundation, the Mobile Simulation Lab came to fruition in February 2020.

The Mobile Simulation Lab will allow Simulation Facilitators and Subject Matter Experts to use simulation scenarios to address low volume, high-risk medical emergencies and enhance emergency preparedness. Simulation allows for hands-on learning in a safe environment. We incorporate critical thinking, evidence-based practices, and professionalism into all simulation experiences. Interdisciplinary simulations enhance the efficiency of communication and teamwork.

Simulation scenarios

Simulation scenarios include, but are not limited to:

  • Cardiac complications
  • Respiratory complications
  • Medical complications
  • Trauma scenarios
  • Neonatal scenarios
  • Pediatric scenarios
  • Birthing complications
  • Emergency scenarios
  • Procedural scenarios

Simulation scenarios are often designed for a specific discipline and can be multi-disciplinary.

Who this program supports

The NGHS Mobile Simulation Program serves and supports the educational needs of the community including:

  • NGHS Providers and Physician Residents
  • Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice RNs
  • Licensed Practical Nurses
  • Medical Assistants
  • Respiratory Therapists
  • Physical Therapists
  • Students (college & high school)
  • First Responders

Mobile Simulation Core Team

The Mobile Simulation Program is under the guidance of a group of key stakeholders that have been identified as expert regional leaders in healthcare, research, safety, outreach, and outcomes. These key stakeholders form the Mobile Simulation Core Team. The Mobile Simulation Core Team determines opportunities in the North Georgia region to utilize the Mobile Simulation Lab as a teaching resource. The Mobile Simulation Core Team Members include:

  • James Rinehart, GME Simulation & Clinical Skills Director
  • Staci Tunkel, Foundation Operations Director
  • Jackie Payne, Trauma Outreach and Injury Prevention Coordinator
  • Holley Adams, NGHS Stroke Coordinator
  • Tammy Soles, NGPG Clinical Care Director
  • Nicole Beringson, Clinical Simulation Manager
  • Aubrey Williams, Neonatal Nurse Educator
  • Nicole Drury, Clinical Simulation Educator
  • Chad Cooper, Simulation Fleet Maintenance Coordinator
  • Stephen Graham, Respiratory Therapy Supervisor

Partnership with the NGHS Trauma Outreach Program

NGHS’s Trauma Outreach Program is designed to improve outcomes from trauma and prevent injury in the medical and public community. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is an integral part of NGHS’s trauma system. The prehospital trauma system is driven by the goal of getting the right patient to the right place at the right time. Our partnership with EMS ensures that patients receive optimal trauma management. High-quality, consistent emergency care requires that all prehospital personnel in a trauma region understand the trauma triage criteria and destination protocols, treatment protocols, transportation alternatives, and capabilities of trauma facilities in their geographic region.

Jackie Payne, the Trauma Outreach Program and Injury Prevention Coordinator, is actively involved in prehospital personnel training through programs such as educational offerings, simulation, trauma conferences, and case reviews.

The Trauma Outreach Program’s goal for the community is injury prevention and awareness of the trauma system and how to access them. Public awareness may be lifesaving and limb-saving. The importance of early access to care for injured patients cannot be overemphasized. Early access may be accomplished best when the public is aware of the local means of access to the prehospital system. As a community service, the trauma program offers free community education courses on first aid, Stop the Bleed, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Collaboration

The Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) annual conference brings together trauma medical directors, program managers, coordinators, PI clinicians, and registrars from participating and prospective TQIP hospitals. Learn more about this conference.

The CSI team and trauma collaborated at the TQIP annual conference on November 15th, 2021, presenting this poster.

Testimonials

“We can’t thank you all and NGHS for this extraordinary opportunity for our personnel.”

Chad Black, Habersham County Emergency Services Director

“On behalf of our staff, we would like to thank you for the training you provided. Everyone cannot stop talking about how much they enjoyed the training. We look forward to more in the future when the opportunity is available. Thank you again!”

Jeffrey D. Adams, Habersham County Emergency Services Training Officer

“On behalf of Fannin Regional Hospital and those that attended the SIM scenarios yesterday, we wanted to say thank you all so much again! The staff that I spoke with today had so many positive things to say and have recognized areas where further education is needed. They were definitely simulations that were much needed!”

 Tiffany St George, Fannin Regional Hospital Clinical Nursing Educator