Board 127 - Program Innovations Abstract A Coast to Coast Collaboration

Abstract

Introduction/Background The National League for Nursing (NLN) Simulation Leaders Development Program is composed of twenty nurse educators from around the world who work together to develop and promote nursing leadership in healthcare simulation. Initially meeting and forming a working group at the NLN Leadership Conference in January 2013, six members shared an interest in expanding their simulation centers to healthcare facilities. The development of practice partners was targeted as a way to initiate and improve collaboration between academic simulation centers and health care facilities. The simulation leaders practice partners group spans the country from California to South Carolina, providing a unique opportunity to share information regarding healthcare cultures and simulation resources. Methods The decision to set up and work within a wiki allowed for a collaborative review of the available literature. Working through the wiki, emails and conference calls the six nurse educators identified and addressed issues important to developing collaborative practices for healthcare simulation. Hospital representatives from different sites were interviewed by members of the project and identified some common needs for simulation integration. These included orientation, annual competency training (including JCAHO, OSHA standards), investigative, basic and advanced skills and certifications. Potential cost and resource sharing were identified as issues to be determined at the local level. The need for a practical and eas- to-use tool was identified as important in the first step of reaching out to practice partners such as hospitals, medical centers and long term care facilities. Categories were determined for identification of potential simulation activities for the facility, along with the appropriate personnel. Subsequent review of the tool with an appointed mentor through group conference calls allowed for clarification and expansion of descriptive categories. Additionally, an executive summary was developed to provide information on the potential of simulation for busy hospital administrators. The Simulation Opportunity Tool (SOT) facilitates discussion with potential practice partners. The SOT is utilized during face-to-face meetings to discover possible simulation opportunities within the facility. This process provides a clear direction while allowing for brainstorming in the identification of issues specific to the targeted healthcare facility. Results: Conclusion The members of the NLN SimLead Practice Partners group piloted the SOT in facilities across the country. Feedback was received from potential practice partners using a separate feedback instrument. Feedback indicates the clinical educators, administrators and other facility personnel felt the SOT was effective in identifying opportunities for simulation in many areas. Needed revisions for the tool include clarification of terms, expansion of participant categories and increased ease of use. Disclosures None.