Abstract:

The idea of standardizing simulation and skills across multiple locations can be daunting, however when offering a national program across the U.S., consistency is key to drive quality and rigor in order to create an exceptional student experience. Each location may have differences including faculty, methodology, equipment, and geography.

The initial process of moving toward standardization begins with assessment. An assessment of best practices and data collection should be performed at each location. Important sources of data including evaluations of faculty, administration, staff, and students should be collected. Data collection can be formal through surveys and observations or informally through anecdotal interviewing. During the assessment phase, a standardization team should be created. This team helps to assist in the diagnosis of barriers to standardizing simulation and skills labs across locations.

A National Senior Manager of Simulation position was created to lead the charge in diagnosing opportunities and standardizing the simulation and skills labs across locations. Additionally, simulation and skills lab lead faculty were selected at each location to lead with standardization efforts.. Barriers were assessed at each location, which ranged from resistance to change, differing cultures, and different equipment. After identifying these elements, the team moved to the planning phase where standardized simulation and skills lab content were developed. Implementation plans were centered around the assessment data, best practices, and evidence found in the literature. Didactic faculty served as subject-matter experts in the planning process for labs housed within their courses.

The simulation and lab lead faculty were immersed in the review of skills, simulations, and equipment. The simulation lead faculty continue to meet monthly to review planning and begin the evaluation phase of the standardization process. The team plans to begin evaluating the standardization of the simulation and skills labs over the next 6-12 months.

Learning Objectives:

1. Assess the needs of a multi-site simulation and skills lab program.
2. Diagnose the barriers to standardizing simulation and skills across multiple locations.
3. Plan a standardized simulation and skills lab program for multiple locations.