Simulation Exercise Helps Build Teamwork at Health Center

A Code Blue sounded in the hallways of the University of Georgia Health Center on Friday, August 9.

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physicians’ assistants, and other medical staff members rushed to the patient with equipment ready to go.

But this was not any normal Code Blue. This exercise was part of a “Code Blue Drill” where University Health Center staff members practiced medical emergency situations with simulation-based equipment.

The event was a collaboration between the Univeristy of Georgia Health Center, the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, and Athens Technical College and featured simulation dummies from the Medical Partnership campus.

Simulation dummies (a dummy is often referred to as SimMan) are mannequins that can perform human-like acts such as talking, blinking, and having a heartbeat. They can also be programmed to reenact ailments like a seizure and heart attack.

Once the Code Blue was sounded, University Health employees had to figure out what exactly was wrong and the best way to treat SimMan.

The drill featured three different medical emergencies: cardiac arrhythmia in a 22-year-old, a seizure in a 20-year-old, and severe systemic allergic response in a college aged student.

The team had to assess each situation and figure out how to best work together to help the patient. The biggest goal of the exercise was to build teamwork and perfect individual roles before going into an actual emergency situation.

Once the scenarios were completed, Dr. Aimee Martin, Campus Director of Simulation at the Medical Partnership, led a discussion to go over what went well and what could be improved.

Finbar Woitalla, DO, Lead Physician at the Health Center, said the event was a huge success.

“The realism of the scenarios and the mannequin helped infuse a true sense of urgency and tension that are needed to help us learn and grow from this kind of training,” said Woitalla.

Len DeRamus,MPAS, PA-C, Instructor of Emergency Medicine and Simulation Operator at the University Health Center, said this event was the first of its kind.

“This opportunity allowed them to practice emergency drills and treatment of certain conditions that the simulator can mimic with a high degree of realism,” said DeRamus. “Additionally, we reviewed team roles and dynamics during these drills as that improves care delivery during a crisis.”

“Emergencies are chaotic by nature, and it is critical that the team function above the fray to optimize efficient, accurate care of the patient,” said Woitalla. “This session reminded us all of that important aspect of emergency care and how to quickly establish and maintain this vital team function.”

The staff members were so impressed with the practice that they expressed a desire to run the exercise at least twice per year.

“The universal sentiment was that we have more of these events as it can only strengthen us more,” said Woitalla.