The University of Nebraska Medical Center Simulation in Motion-Nebraska program (SIM-NE) recognized a milestone Jan. 15 when it conducted its 250th free training session.
UNMC, which has trained 4,700 health professionals to date covering 87 of 93 Nebraska counties, conducted training for volunteers in Sutherland for the Sutherland Fire and Rescue and the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department. UNMC officials presented a plaque to recognize the milestone.
SIM-NE is a statewide, mobile education system that takes state-of-the-art, hands-on training to emergency medical service providers in rural areas across the state, including health professionals in hospitals. SIM-NE provides free training using four, 44-foot-long, customized trucks that supply mobile, real-life experiences designed to enhance lifesaving skills for those in rural areas.
SIM-NE’s four trucks were launched in June 2017 and stationed in Scottsbluff, Norfolk, Kearney and Lincoln. Rather than having learners travel to larger cities, the training is at the request of rural emergency medical service agencies and critical access hospital staff and is done in their communities. This also allows training to be team-based as learners train side-by-side with the people they normally work with during a response.
“As a resource for the state of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska Medical Center celebrates this milestone that supports Nebraska’s rural emergency medical services,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “The lifesaving training emergency medical specialists and other health professionals ask us to provide helps their communities remain engaged and productive. These services provide state-of-the-art education and training at no cost, which contributes to the health and economy of this great state.”
Paul Paulman, M.D., a native of Sutherland, Neb., said the training programs offered by SIM-NE have benefitted first responders and others in all parts of Nebraska. “Thanks to the Simulation in Motion-Nebraska team for their diligence, enthusiasm, and professionalism which has allowed us to reach this training milestone,” said Dr. Paulman, assistant dean for clinical skills and quality at UNMC and principal investigator of the grant that established SIM-NE. “Because of the work of this team, the people of Nebraska are safer.”
The customized trucks feature dual slide-out room extensions, a simulated emergency room and ambulance, a control room, as well as high-tech, computerized patient simulators that talk, breathe, have heartbeats, and can react to medications and other actions of the learners.
Each mobile unit is equipped to recreate a realistic environment for learners including medical supplies, pre-programmed computerized medical and trauma scenarios; monitors that display vital signs of patient simulators; heart monitors/defibrillators; audio and video recording/playback capabilities and mock drugs.
“SIM-NE has been a huge success in providing education to Nebraska Emergency Medical Services,” said Sandra Lewis, president of the Nebraska Emergency Medical Services Association (NEMSA). “The program has provided real-life scenarios to departments who could not possibly afford this kind of extensive training. The association is grateful for this program and for those who have continued to help fund SIM-NE. SIM-NE helps fulfill the educational mission of NEMSA to all Nebraska EMS providers.”
Wynn Wiens, Hooker County sheriff and emergency medical technician, said SIM-NE is providing rural areas outstanding emergency medical system training. “In addition, they opened my eyes for the need of Narcan in rural areas. Before the training, I didn't see a need for rural agencies to carry it. Now, both the sheriff's office and EMS squad have it.”
SIM-NE is part of UNMC’s Interprofessional Experiential Center for Enduring Learning (iEXCELSM), a transformative program being created to revolutionize health care education and training. The goal is to improve quality and safety and reduce costs of patient care through practicing, honing, and improving patient care skills using simulation before encountering real patients, as well as learning to work as high-functioning teams.
SIM-NE was initially funded with a $5.5 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The funding supported four SIM trucks, equipment, patient simulators, supplies and operational expenses for the first three years allowing training to be at no cost for EMS providers and critical access hospital staff. Partners and funders are being sought to sustain the training program.
Rural emergency medical service agencies and critical access hospitals can request training at www.unmc.edu/SIM-NE. For more information, email sim-ne@unmc.edu or call (402) 559-4863.
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What Others Are Saying About Simulation in Motion – Nebraska
“It really makes us stretch our skills that we already have. That way we can provide better patient care to the entire town and Custer County.”
Kacey Woodliff, EMT, Broken Bow Ambulance Service
“It was exciting for our hospital staff to experience the training with our EMTs in the simulation in motion setting. Together, they learned life-saving skills as well as an appreciation and better understanding of each other’s roles during an emergency situation. It was a great opportunity for enhancing teamwork, their expertise and the flow of AMH’s overall emergency care services.”
Merry Sprout, RN, Director of Nursing, Antelope Memorial Hospital – Neligh
“The SIM truck training provides hands-on training with high fidelity life-like mannequins…In a controlled group setting, it reinforces teamwork and communication.”
Tim Wilson, Rescue Chief, Paramedic, Syracuse Rescue Service
“It’s really challenging for many of our volunteers out here in rural Nebraska,” Hassebrook said. “Many of them have a full-time job, sometimes two, and they’ve also made a commitment to serve their community by being on the rescue squad. To take these vehicles out and enable these folks to get the latest in training has great value.”
Chuck Hassebrook, former University of Nebraska Regent
“It’s hard to put a value on training that is going to save lives across the state. Saving lives is one of the values we’re focused on at the University of Nebraska.”
Hank Bounds, Ph. D., President, University of Nebraska
“The training is dynamic and engaging and requires the learner to interact, use critical thinking and problem solving skills. In the past, many concepts could be discussed but remain somewhat abstract as they were not easily illustrated. We are able to simulate many uncommon and complex conditions and help the learners see firsthand the benefits of the provider’s actions. The training leads to more confident and better prepared healthcare professionals.”
Brian Monaghan, manager of Advanced Simulation Operations at UNMC
“SIM-NE remains committed to delivering high quality medical education. “The education allows rural emergency health care providers to deliver better care to those in need during medical emergencies.”
Doug Dekker, UNMC SIM-NE program manager
“I thought it was awesome and wanted to do it here.”
Carie Sapp, EMT, Arlington Rural Fire District
“Regional West Foundation is thrilled and honored to partner with the University of Nebraska Foundation in helping to deliver much needed training to health care professionals in rural and western Nebraska. The technology is a game-changer.”
John Massey, Chair, Regional West Foundation – Scottsbluff
“This is a perfect example of collaboration at its best-the University of Nebraska Foundation, The Helmsley Charitable Trust, UNMC, Regional West Foundation and others make it possible to revolutionize the delivery of emergency patient care training in rural Nebraska. This will have a huge impact on rural health care.”
Julie Marshall, Director of Development, Regional West Foundation – Scottsbluff
“SIM-NE has been a huge success in providing education to Nebraska Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This program has provided real life scenarios to departments who could not possibly afford this kind of extensive training. The Nebraska Emergency Medical Services Association (NEMSA) is grateful for this program and those individuals who have continued to help fund SIM-NE. EMS across Nebraska can continue to receive this education to provide the best care possible to those in their communities because of the ongoing support. SIM-NE helps fulfill the educational mission of NEMSA to all Nebraska EMS providers.
Sandra Lewis, President, Nebraska Emergency Medical Services Association
“In our rural areas we have to be prepared for any emergency that might occur, so doing hands-on training is especially important and helpful. As a small town CNO, I typically set up a lot of the training so having someone come in with all the supplies, equipment and expertise is an amazing resource for me and my staff and in turn the community! SIM-NE is a service I know we will be turning to time and time again!”
Tana O’Neill, RN, BSN, Chief Nursing Officer, West Holt Medical Services – Atkinson
“With the advent of mobile, high definition simulation model usage throughout the state of Nebraska through SIM-NE, our EMS providers have an opportunity to experience near real-life scenarios which will impact their ability to save lives.”
James E. Smith, MD, FACEP, Medical Director, Great Plains Health – North Platte, Emergency Services, Chairperson, Nebraska Board of Emergency Medical Services
“The SIM-NE truck is a very valuable tool for critical access hospitals like VCHS. Opportunities like this would not be possible without the Helmsley Charitable Trust and coordination of the University of Nebraska Medical Center that focuses on premier education programs and extraordinary patient care.”
Amy Jackson, RN, Nurse Manager, Valley County Health Systems – Ord
“Thank you for presenting your program to the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association Executive Board on Dec. 8. The purpose of this letter is to document our support of Simulation in Motion-Nebraska.”
In a letter signed by Parrish Abel, President, Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association