Timaru Hospital’s Emergency Department staff put through their paces
It’s not often a whole-of-team approach is needed to treat patients in Timaru Hospital’s Emergency Department so staff have been given an opportunity to test their teamwork with a simulation of a real life event.
The simulation is part of the NetworkZ training intervention programme, which sees staff given scenarios requiring the help of ED, trauma call, radiology, laboratory and blood bank staff to get a successful outcome.
It is the third time the training has been run in Timaru Hospital’s ED.
“It was amazing. Good to learn more about other roles and how they think through different things, and nice to hear this in a simulated environment,” says Felicity Welsh, Emergency Department RN.
NetworkZ is funded by ACC and the National Trauma Network and delivered by the University of Auckland, and has the support of the Health Quality and Safety Commission.
“I think it is a great opportunity for staff to work together as a team, to develop their skills and practice in a safe and supportive learning environment, and have the opportunity to debrief together,” says Donna Schrader, Trauma Nurse Co-ordinator.
“I know from feedback I have had, participants have stated that they feel it’s a great educational opportunity and have taken positive outcomes to their practice.”
As well as giving staff the chance to collaborate, it is an opportunity to test systems and processes that because they’re for emergency use, don’t get used very often. Staff also get to offer solutions for how improvements can be made.
“It is important that during major events, everyone is clear what their role is and the need for closed loop communication,” says Megan Stark, Learning Hub advisor.
