Memorial Medical Center and the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine participated a simulation where 50 people followed a critically ill patient from the moment he called for help in his home until he was brought into the intensive care unit.
"[This was the] first time that a simulation of this complexity has been attempted," Dr. Sapan Desai, a medical director with the Memorial Center for Learning and Innovation and vice chair with SIU's School of Medicine, said. "This realistic simulation will teach us a great deal about all of the things we do right in health care – and highlight areas where we can continue to improve."
Participants included health care providers, administrators, quality improvement experts, educators and support personnel. John Petter, a local actor, played the part of the patient. In the act, he suffered from an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The exercise then followed his progress through the health care system. This included the arrival of paramedics and treatment in several simulated environments, like the ambulance and emergency room.
The simulation is expected to be the first of many. Memorial and SIU will apply for federal grants to continue the research.
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