Pediatric Human Simulation Education (HSE)

Pediatric Human Simulation Education (HSE)

The KidSIM program works to provide learners surrogate clinical experience with pediatric patients in as close to a ‘real life’ situation as possible through the use of high-fidelity mannequins as well as teaching space that mimics the clinical setting as closely as possible.

The KidSIM Pediatric Simulation Program run out of the Alberta Children’s Hospital has been training health care professionals both as individuals and as part of interprofessional teams since October of 2005. Since that time, the KidSIM Program has become a world-class program, known for delivering top-notch educational programs and conducting cutting-edge research.

Through on-going support from the Department of Pediatrics and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, the program boasts greater than 100 trained simulation education facilitators, 15 high-fidelity mannequins spanning infancy to adolescence, and a 3,600 square foot simulation center on the 4th floor of the ACH. The KidSIM Program is involved in the delivery of high quality interprofessional pediatric simulation education to over 4,800 learners per year, from undergraduate learners to practicing health care professionals to families and caregivers, both at the Alberta Children’s Hospital site, as well as via outreach education to providers in the broader Calgary community, and regional and rural healthcare providers in Southern Alberta and Southeastern.

  1. Vision

    Excellence in the delivery and evaluation of pediatric simulation and education.

  2. Mission

    To promote and measure high quality interprofessional pediatric education by:

    • Ensuring optimal accessibility to this education tool
    • Providing leadership and excellence in academic delivery and evaluation of simulation-based education
    • Developing and mentoring high quality simulation educators
    • Innovating and disseminating best practice
    • Supporting Quality and Patient Safety Initiatives
  3. Values

    • Respect
    • Supportive
    • Honesty
    • Integrity
    • Collaborative
    • Innovative

The KidSIM-ASPIRE (Assessing Simulation in Pediatrics Improving Resuscitation Events) Simulation Research Program at Alberta Children’s Hospital was established to bring together an interprofessional group of Alberta-based leaders in clinical care, research methodology, education, human factors and psychology interested in improving the delivery of healthcare to sick infants and children. Our team has developed a solid foundation which positions us well to address the main objectives of the acute and life-saving care pillar of ACH. Studies are formulated to identify novel and innovative methods of healthcare delivery in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency of care. In our collaborative research model, we also aim to facilitate the academic growth of young investigators and trainees by exposing them to established mentors both locally and worldwide and nurturing the skills necessary to become successful researchers.

KidSIM ASPIRE Research Pillars

  1. Resuscitation & Cardiac Arrest: Develop and evaluate novel techniques and strategies for improving resuscitative care of pediatric patients suffering from cardiac arrest.
  2. Artificial Intelligence: Develop and evaluate the use of artificial intelligence to improve clinical skills training and assessment.
  3. Return on Investment: Assess and evaluate the cost effectiveness of simulation-based training in healthcare.
  4. Quality Improvement & Patient Safety: Design and evaluate simulation-based interventions to enhance patient safety and improve patient outcomes.

The KidSIM Center is a 3,600 square foot facility and is the largest pediatric simulation facility in Canada.

Simulation Rooms: Four simulation suites, each equipped with it’s own separate control room. The wall between labs 3 and 4 can be raised for large scale scenarios or large groups.

Debrief Rooms: Two debriefing rooms, fully equipped with an audiovisual learning management system to view live or recorded sessions. The dividing wall can be elevated to create one large teaching space that accommodates up to 25 individuals.

 

  1. Simulators

    High Fidelity mannequins

    • Adult SimMan 3G
    • Sim Junior x2
    • Gaumard Child x3
    • Gaumard Toddler x3
    • Gaumard Infant x2
    • Laerdal Infant x2
    • Gaumard Premie
    • Laerdal 1 Year Old
  2. Task Trainers

    The following equipment are to be booked and used within the lab setting ONLY:

    Task Trainers (hospital specific vs department specific)

    • Adult intubation heads
    • Pediatric intubation heads
    • Infant intubation heads
    • Gaumard premie Annie trainer
    • Cricothyroidotomy trainer
    • Lumbar Puncture infant trainers
    • Chest Tube Trainer
    • CPR Laerdal Adult trainers
    • CPR Laerdal Infant trainers
    • ECLS trainer
    • 1 Year Old Task Trainer
    • 5 Year Old Task Trainer
  3. Equipment

    The following equipment are for use within the lab setting ONLY to replicate real environments without using equipment from the hospital. NOT FOR PATIENT USE.

    • IV pumps
    • Syringe pumps
    • Defibrillators
    • Crash carts
    • Medication carts
    • Airway carts
    • Rhythm generators
    • Bed/Stretcher/crib
    • Bear hugger warmer
    • Isolation Carts
    • Some disposable/re-usable medical supplies
    • Functional headwalls for medical gases
    • Functional headwalls for suction
    • IV Fluid Warmer
    • CMAC
    • Workstations on Wheels
    • Blenders
    • NeoPuff
  4. AV System

    The Center is fully integrated with the BLine learning management system and each of the teaching spaces in the KidSIM Center is outfitted with an advanced multimedia system to be able to enhance the education experience and offers the possibility of video recording and live viewing for both research and quality assurance purposes. Telehealth capability is also available in the two debriefing rooms.

  5. Mobile AV Unit

    The KidSIM Program offers the ability to record high quality audio and video in-situ or off-site with the Mobile BLine Sim Capture Unit.