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HEALTHCARE EDUCATION HEALTHCARE EDUCATION HEALTHCARE EDUCATION

Cover Story: Miami Dade College Simulation Hospital: Safe Practice Builds Confidence

Continued from page 1 rate’ benefit in sharing this Accreditation
learning experience with no threat to technological advancement The Miami Dade College Simulation
patient safety. with hospital CEO’s and Hospital held a grand opening in July
Mannequins represent newborns to Directors of Nursing and and matriculated the first classes in Fall
adults with multiple ethnic and racial Allied Health Pro fessions. 2019. It is currently building and evalu-
backgrounds. These mannequins simu- Designing pro grams to ating the educational experience to meet
late clinical issues (planned by faculty) support continuing educa- all standards to apply for accreditation
in 52 different languages adding an addi- tion requirements and following a two-year track record of
tional component beyond nursing care helping existing profes- excellence in multidisciplinary assess-
to cultural understanding. The man- sionals to stay abreast of ment, research, and teaching.
nequins’ price tag represented approxi- new techniques and To date students with the advantage of
mately $4 million of the total $58 mil- methodologies in a nearby participating in the hospital simulator
lion investment in this learning environ- setting is an advantage to curriculum seem to agree with our fore-
ment, designed to encourage independ- the health care community father Benjamin Franklin’s assessment of
ent, hands-on learning which embraces and a ‘corporate’ aspect of educational methods …
student missteps. education plans. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I
A clinically versatile design was incor- remember. Involve me and I learn.”
porated in the simulation hospital which Virtual Reality Miami Dade College Medical Campus
mirrors the clinical environment of a real Introducing virtual real- opened in 1977 on 4.3 acres in the heart
hospital with medical surgical rooms, OB ity simulation techniques of the Miami Health District. The cam-
labor and delivery rooms, pediatric into the curriculum is pus supports a variety of certificate and
rooms, an operating room, a simulated being studied. Through degree levels in nursing and allied health
ambulance set up, exam rooms, a home- the use of goggles and education options. Students at the
life apartment, debriefing rooms, and a avatars, virtual reality is Medical Campus learn as they build their
150-seat lecture hall. While at the designed to immerse a experience in a state-of-the-art Sim -
Simulation Hospital, students will devel- student in a realistic envi- ulation Hospital and also through two
op the necessary critical thinking skills ronment of treatment. clinics under the guidance of distin-
to be successful in a wide range of Virtual reality focuses on guished faculty and partners. According
healthcare delivery scenarios. clinical decision-making to the U.S. Department of Education, the
Other innovative technology is available Laysel Perez Garcia, Simulation Technician in addition to actual college ranks first nationwide in award-
to 25 different health sciences course stud- skills to help students ing health profession and nursing
ies including respiratory therapy, histology nursing careers and close to 40% other develop care plans. degrees.
and clinical lab students, physician assis- health science students. “A key principle Students can also view lab results, imag-
tants and EMS students with mannequins of our program: creating an environment ing results and additional patient data to For more information or tours, visit
and unique technology offering real life of multidisciplinary collaboration by support clinical decisions. Virtual reality www.mdc.edu/medical/campus-
hospital situations for study and analysis bringing together students from various can expand the physical classroom to information/facilities-simulation-
in an educational climate. fields to work and communicate as a team, home study and review since it is avail- hospital.aspx or call (305) 237-4042.
However, don’t assume this current is incorporated into practice settings to able in many formats.
technology is robotic or devoid of faculty improve interdisciplinary communica-
guidance or participation. In fact, students tions,” Stewart ex plained. “Expert
and faculty record, review and evaluate research shows the Simulation Hospital
performance in a debriefing, which is an prepares students with evidence-based
indispensable aspect of simulation learn- principles and clinical skills they will need
ing according to Stewart. “During debrief in real world clinical environments. Safe
sessions, real time observation is com- practice helps reduce errors, improve safe- FAU’s Online Graduate Nursing
pared to best clinical practices and stu- ty, breakdown traditional professional
dents can build knowledge backed by evi- silos and enhance interprofessional collab- Program Soars to No. 7
dence-based methodologies. The record- oration, ultimately elevating the quality of
ings allow students and instructors to patient care,” he summarized. in 2020 ‘U.S. News & World
evaluate practice, stimulate team coopera-
tion and improve patient outcomes,” FUTURE PLANS
Stewart explained. Continuing Education Report’ Rankings
During the first quarter more than 1,600 In addition to enhancing student educa-
students have participated in the learning tion, which is a valuable recruitment and Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s online
experience - approximately 60% seeking
job placement tool, Stewart sees a ‘corpo- master’s degree in nursing is ranked No. 7 in the nation for “Best Online
Graduate Programs” in 2020 by U.S. News & World Report. The college soared
to No. 7 from the No. 23 spot in 2019, and is the top-ranked program for private
and public institutions in Florida. FAU’s College of Business, College of
Education and overall online bachelor’s programs also made the list this year.
FAU’s College of Business is ranked No. 69 nationwide this year for the “Best
Online MBA Programs” and No. 37 for the “Best Online Business Programs –
non-MBA (e.g. accounting, finance and health administration). FAU’s online
non-MBA business programs also are listed on the “Best Online Programs for
Veterans in 2020.” The College of Education climbed to the No. 48 spot nation-
wide for the 2020 “Best Online Education Programs,” up from the No. 77 spot
in 2019. In addition, FAU’s online bachelor’s programs ranked No. 73 in 2020,
escalating from No. 233 in 2019.
“The rise in rankings of our online graduate programs is a testament to the cal-
iber of our staff and faculty who lead and teach those programs and their and our
students’ commitment to excellence,” said Safiya George, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “Our college is grounded in caring sci-
ence, which also extends to and is integrated into the delivery of our online grad-
uate programs. Faculty, staff and students co-labor together to ensure a positive
online learning experience, full engagement with the content and learning envi-
ronment and mastery of content. A combination of exceptional talent, use of best
practices, and great leadership from our associate dean for academic programs,
Dr. Kay Edwards, and our assistant dean for graduate programs, Dr. Joy Longo,
are the keys attributable to this success.”

28 February 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News